“Is This Really What I Voted For?” – On The Legitimacy Of European Integration

Abstract

This paper discusses the problems and dangers of proceeding with European integration without facing a transparent constitutional debate. The crucial issue demanding clarity is whether the current integration in the form of the EU shall be seen within the framework and concepts of public international law or within those of constitutional law. The authors argue that more intensive integration cannot be achieved on the basis of undermining rule of law and democracy by vacillating between different international law or constitutional law models of proceeding without taking any clear standpoint.

Keywords

• eu democracy
• supremacy
• democratic deficit
• sovereignty
• constitutionalisation process
• integration