Anti-Lisbon arguments before German Constitutional Court

The following are from an article in the Tirish Times, linked here: "GERMAN opponents of the Lisbon Treaty called for a halt to ratification yesterday, telling the country’s highest court it would dilute parliamentary power and curtail constitutional rights.... "At yesterday’s hearing, treaty opponents said the union had transformed itself from “custodian” of EU treaties to an uncontrollable “hydra”, drawing increasing competences from national parliaments..... "Several judges posed pointed questions of government counsel, asking if the transfer of competences from member states to Brussels automatically brought benefits to citizens and, if so, how these benefits were gauged..... "...complaining that the treaty’s “flexibility clause” would make automatic the acquisition by the EU of further powers. “The EU should only be given new competences when it is proven they are needed,” said Prof Markus Kerber, counsel for one of the four applicant parties. “But instead it automatically takes on more than its administration can handle.” "Seasoned court watchers expect the judges will approve Germany’s treaty ratification Bill, but with stringent conditions.

The hearing continues today, while a verdict is not expected until early summer.

The potential for realisation of old urges of power lust will presumably drive the German court into the pretence that Lisbon does not dilute national democracy - What a farce!