Jürgen Habermas claims the EU treaty is elitist

The newspaper publishes a speech delivered by German philosopher Jürgen Habermas at the cultural forum of the SPD party. Habermas calls for a stronger, more united Europe and criticises the EU Reform Treaty saying it reaffirms "the elitist character of political events that are increasingly removed from the people": "Unless certain key topics are added to the usual spectrum that shapes opinion in the different nations, and unless national opinion in the different states becomes more accessible to European topics affecting other nations, the citizens won't be able to benefit from the formally strengthened position of the Parliament. ... In short, the current gap between the political elites and the citizens is being reinforced, and the path to a political decision on Europe's future character is blocked. ... Governments must overcome their desire to control and give their citizens a chance to decide on Europe's future in a referendum."

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