Der Vertrag von Lissabon – ein Substitut für die gescheiterte europäische Verfassung

Abstract

The European Union is facing major challenges at the beginning of the 21st century. The process of European integration raises the question of "European compatibility" of federalism or the development of a "European federation". Attention is drawn to the fact that federalism plays a significant role in European development and integration. To date, some models of federalism are known, but further development and integration of Europe require innovation, so that it can not be classified in already existing or predetermined models, but rather it is necessary to create a synthesis between unity and diversity; this is the reason why in recent years there has been "intensive research into a new European federalism" or debates about the future of the EU. The EU has undertaken a major reform of its internal organization, but the impact of past integration should be linked to its federal unity and, based on the principles of unity of law, the unity of institutional structures and the solidarity of the Member States.