The end of pro-European rhetoric

The economic crisis heralds Europe's political demise, political expert and historian Gian Enrico Rusconi writes in the liberal daily La Stampa: "In truth the crisis has only torn the thin veil of pro-European rhetoric that was carefully spun in the past few years, while reality headed in the opposite direction. … Germany's Constitutional Court must now rule on whether the EU reform treaty is unconstitutional – a difficult decision, particularly given that in doing so the court will decide on its own competences within Europe, which in the event of a ruling in favour of constitutionality will be transferred to the European Court of Justice. No one expects the Federal Constitutional Court to simply declare the treaty illegal. But it is certain to voice many reservations that will have unforeseeable consequences. … We can only hope that in the economic crisis there will be a reversal in the current trend and that in a sudden burst of pride political Europe will decide in favour of a joint and binding approach."

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