The 'T-Dem' for Democratizing the Europe's Economic and Monetary Union - A Critical Appraisal

Abstract

(Series Information) European Papers - A Journal on Law and Integration, 2018 3(1), 45-57 | Overview | (Table of Contents) I. Introduction. - II. An intergovernmental parliamentarisation of the Euro area. - III. A new economic Constitution. - IV. Two sets of practical issues. - V. Conclusion: dark matters and alternative paths. | (Abstract) The T-Dem is both important and welcome as it is more important than ever for scholars to engage with political debates, in a perspective that constructively puts forward both specific and ambitious reform proposals, designed to meet the acute challenges the EU is facing. We welcome that the four scholars take this seriously enough to propose an actual draft treaty. This gives some fresh air to the debate on the future of the EU and reminds us that treaties are not set in stone. The main thrust of the present commentary argues that the T-Dem goes far beyond its - admittedly central - proposal for the creation of an Assembly of the Euro area composed of national MPs. We argue that the T-Dem envisions a new parliamentary-intergovernmental political order, as well as a new economic constitution for the European Monetary Union composed of 19 of the 27 EU Member States. We try to assess the practical issues involved in the T-Dem especially in relation with the composition of the proposed new Assembly and the ratification process of the treaty. We try to anticipate the unintended but expected effects of the creation of a parliamentary assembly of the Euro area. We identify where the T-Dem could be further elaborated (the economic constitution dimension) and its main problem area (the relation between the new assembly and the European Parliament). Given the difficulties identified, we finally claim that the alternative consisting in empowering the European Parliament, is preferable.

Keywords

• t-dem
• euro area
• parliamentarism
• european union
• assembly
• democracy