Jürgen Habermas on a two-speed European Union

Philosopher Jürgen Habermas reflects on the future of the EU in the wake of Ireland's No to the EU Reform Treaty: "The motive for the Irish No is open to speculation, but the first official reactions are clear. The European governments whose ambitions were thwarted do not want to appear at a loss, and are searching for a technical solution which would boil down to repeating the Irish referendum. However this demonstrates a purely cynical view of voters' opinions. ... The social, political and cultural side effects of the free market that was wanted and implemented across Europe are being passed off onto nation states which are denied any role in determining these external costs. ... However there is a way out of this malaise. It could come in the form of a cooperation treaty with member states desiring to be exempted from cooperation in certain institutions for a time. Europe has come a long way on the convoy model, in which the slowest member sets the pace. But this model is now obsolete. .. With commitment and a bit of luck, a two-speed Europe could result, provided the countries that approved the treaty cooperate more closely in the areas of foreign and security policy as well as economic and social policy."

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