Simone Lawson
The Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe was adopted by the European Council in June 2004 and signed in Rome later that year. However, it was rejected by France and the Netherlands in their national referendums in 2005. The proposed constitution was met with opposition from nationalists who believed that stronger European institutions would threaten national sovereignty and individual freedoms. This ideological opposition, often linked to nationalist and right-wing parties, has also been observed in the United Kingdom's decision to leave the European Union, driven by a desire to control immigration and restore national greatness. The rejection of the constitution by France and the Netherlands led to a period of reflection, resulting in the Lisbon Treaty, which amended existing treaties instead of establishing a new constitution.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Opposition to immigration and immigration policy | Anti-Muslim sentiment, opposition to Turkey's EU membership |
| Loss of national sovereignty | Loss of self-determination, accumulation of power by the EU |
| Failure to solve crises | Failure to solve economic crises, failure to achieve shared prosperity |
| Lack of popular engagement | Disconnect between politicians and the electorate |
| Lack of enforcement powers | --- |
| Inclusion of "foreign principles" | No explicit reference to Christianity |
| Right-wing populism | --- |
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What You'll Learn
Loss of national sovereignty
The Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe was adopted by the European Council on 18 June 2004 and signed in Rome later that year. However, it was rejected by France and the Netherlands in their national referendums on 29 May 2005 and 1 June 2005, respectively. The treaty was also opposed by other nationalist groups for various reasons, including the concern of losing national sovereignty.
National sovereignty refers to the autonomy and self-governance of a nation, free from external control or influence. In the context of the European Union (EU), the debate around national sovereignty has been a longstanding issue, with some nationalists arguing that stronger European institutions and further integration would result in a loss of national sovereignty for individual member states.
The proposed European Union Constitution aimed to deepen the integration of the countries and create a clearer institutional model. This involved reforms in various areas, including employment, social policy, and the extension of qualified majority voting. While the supporters of a federal EU argued that it would lead to a more democratic Union, nationalists saw it as a threat to national sovereignty. They believed that limiting national sovereignty would empower common EU institutions at the expense of the power and autonomy of individual nations.
The rejection of the Constitution by France and the Netherlands was a significant setback and led to a period of reflection among European leaders. The rise of nationalist and populist groups, such as those in the United Kingdom's decision to leave the EU, has been attributed partly to the failure of the EU to efficiently solve crises and deliver on the promise of "shared prosperity". This indicates a growing dissatisfaction with the EU and its institutions, which has bolstered nationalist sentiments.
Additionally, the issue of immigration has played a role in the opposition to the EU Constitution. Anti-Muslim sentiment and opposition to EU membership for Turkey contributed to the French and Dutch votes against the Constitution. Neo-nationalism, a political movement that emerged in reaction to globalization and demographic changes, often associates with opposition to immigration, Islamophobia, and Euroscepticism. The perception of losing control over immigration policy and the inclusion of "foreign principles" have fueled nationalist sentiments and contributed to their opposition to the EU Constitution.
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Immigration policy
The fear of losing control over immigration policy was a significant factor in the French and Dutch rejection of the EU Constitution in 2005. Anti-Muslim sentiment and opposition to Turkey's potential EU membership also played a role in these votes. The rise of neo-nationalism, associated with right-wing populism, nativism, and opposition to immigration, contributed to a shift in political sentiment. This was evident in the United Kingdom's decision to leave the European Union in 2016, motivated in part by a desire to control immigration.
Nationalists viewed the proposed EU Constitution as a threat to national sovereignty and self-determination. They believed that delegating power to the EU would undermine their ability to make decisions on immigration policies that aligned with their national interests. This concern extended beyond Europe, with similar sentiments expressed by nationalist leaders such as Donald Trump in the United States, who advocated for a form of neo-nationalism that sought to "look after your own."
The opposition to the EU Constitution by nationalists was not just about immigration policy but also about the broader implications for national sovereignty. They argued that a federal EU would mean less national sovereignty, as decision-making powers would be transferred to EU institutions. This conflict between the ideals of a unified Europe and the preservation of national identity and autonomy shaped the political landscape and continues to influence debates around immigration, integration, and the role of supranational entities like the EU.
The rejection of the EU Constitution by France and the Netherlands led to a “period of reflection” among European leaders. This resulted in the abandonment of the constitution and the creation of the Lisbon Treaty, which aimed to address some of the concerns raised during the constitutional debate, including the balance between European integration and national sovereignty in shaping immigration policies.
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Anti-Muslim sentiment
The rise of nationalism in Europe has been marked by a downturn in positive opinions about the European Union and its institutions. This shift in opinion has resulted in the resurgence of nationalist and populist groups, particularly on the far right, and has also led to the United Kingdom's decision to leave the Union.
The rise of neo-nationalism, or new nationalism, is an ideology and political movement that has gained traction in recent years. It is characterized by its opposition to immigration, Islamophobia in non-Muslim-majority countries, and Euroscepticism. Neo-nationalists view the delegation of national sovereignty to the European Union as an accumulation of power that undermines states' national sovereignty and their right to self-determination.
The election of leaders such as Donald Trump in the United States and Benjamin Netanyahu in Israel has further emboldened neo-nationalist movements. These leaders have pursued policies and rhetoric that smear Muslims and strive to reverse globalization. Additionally, the Iranian Revolution in the 1980s marked the start of increased immigration to Western European states, which has been a contributing factor to the rise of neo-nationalism.
The Brexit movement in the United Kingdom has also been associated with neo-nationalist sentiments. The desire to control immigration and restore national greatness by disengaging from the wider world has motivated supporters of Brexit, mirroring the sentiments found in other nationalist movements across Europe.
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Right to self-determination
The Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe was adopted by the European Council on 18 June 2004 and signed in Rome later that year. The treaty was then rejected by France and the Netherlands in their national referendums in 2005. The proposed European Union Constitution was opposed by nationalists due to their belief in the right to self-determination.
Nationalists believe that a federal EU undermines national sovereignty and the right to self-determination. They argue that limiting national sovereignty is a threat to individual freedoms and the way things ought to be. The rejection of the constitution by France and the Netherlands was influenced by anti-Muslim sentiment, opposition to EU membership for Turkey, and fears of losing control over immigration policy. The Dutch, as the biggest per capita contributors to the Brussels budget, also felt bullied by bigger countries and let down by the single currency, which brought about steep price rises.
The rise of neo-nationalism, or new nationalism, is a reaction to the political, economic, and demographic changes brought about by globalization, particularly during its second wave in the 1980s. Neo-nationalism is associated with right-wing populism, opposition to immigration, Islamophobia, and Euroscepticism. The dramatic events in the Islamic world during the 1980s, such as the Iranian Revolution, led to increased immigration to Western European states. The problems encountered by immigrants in terms of arrival, accommodation, and integration within the host countries' societies led to policy adjustments that integrated the diversity of immigrants. The inclusion of "foreign principles" next to traditional elements in the host countries' policies further contributed to the feeling of threat felt by neo-nationalists.
The United Arab Emirates, under the leadership of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed, has been described as propagating a "new Arab nationalism." This form of neo-nationalism seeks to counter Iranian and Turkish influence in the Arab states. The Brexit referendum in the United Kingdom and the election of Donald Trump in the United States have also been linked to the rise of neo-nationalism. These movements are characterized by a desire to control immigration, reverse globalization, and restore national greatness by disengaging from the wider world.
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Lack of shared prosperity
The Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe was adopted by the European Council on 18 June 2004 and signed in Rome later that year. However, the Treaty was rejected by France and the Netherlands in their national referendums in 2005. This rejection was a significant setback for the European Union and highlighted the existence of nationalist opposition to the proposed constitution.
Nationalists opposed the proposed European Union constitution due to concerns about a lack of shared prosperity. They argued that the EU had failed to efficiently solve crises and improve the economic situation of its member states. The Netherlands, for example, felt bullied by bigger countries and let down by the single currency, which brought steep price rises and stagnant economic growth. France and the Netherlands also had concerns about immigration policy and losing control over it as members of the EU. The failure of the EU to deliver on its promise of "shared prosperity" led to a sharp return of nationalist and populist groups, particularly on the far right. This lack of shared prosperity and the resulting dissatisfaction among citizens ultimately contributed to the United Kingdom's decision to leave the European Union, known as Brexit.
The proposed constitution aimed to address employment and social policy issues, but the European Council failed to agree on the text of the draft Constitutional Treaty in December 2003. The new draft Treaty included limited innovations in social and employment policy, aiming to improve the implementation of the European employment strategy. However, economic growth remained insufficient, and unemployment rates were high. The EU faced challenges such as globalisation, worldwide economic transformation, and an ageing population, which contributed to the sense of dissatisfaction among nationalists.
Additionally, the proposed constitution's voting rights were a point of contention, with Spain and Poland opposing the draft Treaty's proposed new voting rights, which would extend the scope of qualified majority voting to areas like social security for migrant workers. The failure to address these economic concerns and the perception of a lack of shared prosperity contributed to the nationalist opposition to the proposed European Union constitution.
In summary, the lack of shared prosperity and the perception of failing to address economic concerns effectively contributed to nationalist opposition to the proposed European Union constitution. This dissatisfaction led to a resurgence of nationalist and populist groups and had significant consequences, including the UK's decision to leave the EU.
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Frequently asked questions
Nationalists opposed the proposed European Union Constitution because they believed that stronger European institutions would damage national sovereignty and individual freedoms. The delegation of national sovereignty to the European Union was seen as an act that aimed to accumulate power and undermine states' national sovereignty and their right to self-determination.
The failure to efficiently solve crises and the deterioration of people's situations led to a sharp return of nationalist and populist groups, most notably on the far right. This also led to the United Kingdom's decision to leave the Union.
The proposed European Union Constitution was rejected by France and the Netherlands in their national referendums on 29 May 2005 and 1 June 2005, respectively. Luxembourg held a referendum on 10 July 2005, approving the Constitution by 57% to 43%.
The ideological opposition was based on the conviction that a federal EU would mean less national sovereignty. Nationalists also associated the proposed Constitution with right-wing populism, anti-globalization, nativism, protectionism, opposition to immigration, and Islamophobia in non-Muslim-majority countries.
