A watered-down Treaty of Lisbon?

Today, Thursday, the EU heads of state and government are gathering in Brussels to discuss the future of the blocked Treaty of Lisbon. The Financial Times Deutschland fears the result could be a watered-down treaty. "For at today's summit the Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen will explain to the other heads of state and government how he intends to proceed following his countrymens' No to the Lisbon treaty. He is likely to hold out the prospect of a second referendum for autumn 2009 - if the partner states comply with certain demands. Among those items on Cowen's list that are non-negotiable is that Ireland continue to be represented by its own commissioner in the Brussels body. Because there can be no special rules for one country it is probable that the summit participants will agree to maintain the principle of one state, one commissioner. ... But to create a continually growing Commission that lacks hierarchies and boundaries and that is uncontrollable and prone to extending its powers is the wrong approach."

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