Introduction

Abstract

The initiative to launch a draft treaty establishing the European Union represents the boldest attempt since the first direct elections to the European Parliament to come to grips with the critical problems that have inhibited effective and rapid decision-making and responsive policy formulation in the European Community (EC). While the draft treaty itself reflected the consensus of the European Parliament’s members (MEPs) over the desirability for reform, and while it was put forward in the institution’s name, there can be no doubt that its content and pace owes much to the foresight, personal drive, charisma and inspiration of the present chairman of the European Parliament’s Committee on Institutional Affairs, Altiero Spine Hi. In a key sense the draft treaty establishing the European Union (EUT) is not simply the European Parliament’s but also his treaty.