” “"When one entrusts to a national referendum a decision that concerns Europe, only the leaders of that country, not the leaders of the EU, defend the ‘European’ reasons, so the voters’ response will keep being affected by the scores the citizens have to settle with their own national politicians. The EU must be taken away from this mechanism". It was said last night in Rome by Giuliano Amato, former deputy president of the European Convention, as he spoke at the presentation of the book "L’Europa di carta. Stampa e opinione pubblica in Europa nel 2007", edited by Paolo Pombeni and published by "Il Mulino". According to Amato, "the president of the EU Commission Barroso and the current president of the EU Jana should have supported the Lisbon Treaty on the occasion of the Irish referendum, without bringing in that mix of national reasons that have influenced the results". In other words, "it is Europe, along with its leaders, that should assert itself, but to do this the rules need to be changed". In addition, "the system for informing the citizens" needs to be improved. According to the former deputy president of the Convention, the decision taken by the European Council has still been "wise, the best that could be done". (continued)
