What Was the Lisbon Treaty? A Simple Guide to Its Meaning and Impact

The Lisbon Treaty is one of the most significant treaties in recent European history. It was signed in 2007 and came into force in 2009 and changed the way the European Union (EU) works. Many people still say, What was the Lisbon Treaty, why was it introduced, and what impact did it have? This guide tells you everything you need to know.

Introduction to the Lisbon Treaty 

The Lisbon Treaty, also known as the Treaty of Lisbon, is an international agreement that reformed the European Union. On December 13, 2007, the treaty was signed in Lisbon, Portugal, by member states of the EU and came into force on December 1, 2009. The Lisbon Treaty was designed to make the EU more democratic, efficient, and transparent and replaced previous treaties in making new powers for the European Parliament, for national parliaments, and for citizens. The Lisbon Treaty is often seen as the “rule book” of the now modernized European Union.

Why was the Lisbon Treaty Introduced? 

The EU became larger and more complex after many countries. The existing treaties were too restrictive to manage the EU as a large international entity. The EU leaders decided that the EU needed a better legal and political basis. Here are the primary reasons:

1. Increasing membership of the EU: As more states joined, decision-making was becoming slower and harder to process.
2. Failed EU constitution: An earlier attempt at a European constitution was defeated in referendums in France and the Netherlands. The Lisbon Treaty was formed as a simpler, less formal alternative.
3. Need for increased democracy: There was a popular demand that citizens have a greater say in decisions made at the European level.
4. Global challenges facing the EU: The challenges arose in how quickly the EU could act in areas such as foreign policy, climate change, and security.

Important Features of the Lisbon Treaty

The Lisbon Treaty improved many of the EU’s features. Most reforms increased coherence in the EU and provided citizens with more power over the decision-making process. Now, let’s review the most important features: 

1. Increased power to the European Parliament

The European Parliament received increased powers over the law-making process. The EU Parliament became an equal partner with the Council of the European Union in the parliamentary process to pass laws. As members of the European Parliament are elected by citizens, the EU citizen now has a bigger say in the process.

2. The President of the European Council became a permanent position

Before the Lisbon Treaty, the presidency of the European Council was passed among member states every six months. The treaty created a president that would draw from member states for two and a half years, creating a stable and defined figure.

3. High Representative for Foreign Affairs

The treaty established the post of the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. The individual fills the role of an EU “foreign minister,” allowing the EU to be a stronger voice internationally.

4. More Power to National Parliaments

National parliaments were granted the ability to check EU law. If parliaments objected, the European Commission had to rethink a proposal. This was a balancing point between Brussels and the governments of member states.

5. Citizens’ Initiative

The treaty established the European Citizens’ Initiative. If there are a million citizens of several different EU countries who are willing to support a petition, they can request the European Commission to draft a new law. This allowed common citizens to have a direct impact. 

6. Legal Personality for EU

The Lisbon Treaty gave the EU its own legal identity. This allows the EU to sign international agreements and join organizations as a single unit. 

7. Fundamental Rights

The treaty made the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union binding, protecting rights such as free speech, equality, and labor rights across all member states. 

How Did the Lisbon Treaty Change the EU? 

The Lisbon Treaty made huge changes to the internal operations of the EU. Here are some of the main changes:  

1. A more democratic EU: There was increased power for the European Parliament, and the Citizens’ Initiatives meant that new laws could be proposed by citizens, making the EU more democratic.  
2. Better Decision-Making: The new rules on voting meant that decision-making sped up. By permitting “qualified majority voting” instead of requiring full agreement on many subjects, laws could get passed.
3. Stronger Global Role: The establishment of the High Representative and the EU’s new legal personality allowed for greater capability for Europe to act in the world.
4. Greater Rights for Citizens: The Charter of Fundamental Rights constituted a degree of enhanced protection for EU citizens. This had a positive impact on increased confidence and fairness within the Union.

The Lisbon Treaty and Brexit

The Lisbon Treaty also gained importance during Brexit. Article 50 of the treaty describes the legal way for a member state to depart from the EU. When the UK voted in 2016 to withdraw from the EU, the government triggered Article 50 in 2017. It set the clock for a two-year negotiation process that concluded with Brexit. If it were not for the Lisbon Treaty, the UK would have no legal mechanism to depart from the EU.

Criticism of the Lisbon Treaty

While the Lisbon Treaty produced many benefits, it did not escape criticism. 

1. No direct public approval: Some argued that it was too similar to the EU Constitution, which was rejected in exit referendums.
2. Too complicated: The treaty is long, complicated, and not accessible to most citizens. 
3. Concerns regarding national sovereignty: Some argued it afforded too much power to Brussels at the expense of the autonomy of member states.

Importance of the Lisbon Treaty Today

The Lisbon Treaty that was signed in 2007 continues to shape the EU today. As an institutional framework, the treaty defines rules on decision-making, rights of citizens, and the EU’s role in the wider world. The Lisbon Treaty will help facilitate the EU’s action in the case of new challenges like economic recessions, migration, or climate change.

A Brief Summary of the Lisbon Treaty

Now to put it simply, the Lisbon Treaty facilitated democracy in the EU by making the EU’s decision-making process more democratic, empowering the Parliament and citizens. Value to the EU has created stable power positions, like President of the European Council and High Representative. Value to the EU has legally constituted the EU in its international action to represent itself. Protected citizens’ rights with the charter of fundamental rights and provided a quicker way to make decisions with new voting rules.

Conclusion

So what is the Lisbon Treaty? In simple terms, it is a historic agreement that changed the European Union. The intent of the treaty was to create a more democratic, efficient EU to face the challenges of the world. The Lisbon Treaty altered the method of creating legislation, strengthened citizens’ roles in the EU, gave more strength to the EU’s voice in world affairs, etc. Some objectors complained that it was too complicated, and it is complicated, but its effect on Europe clearly lasted. For those studying European history or politics, in order to understand how the European Union operates today, understanding the Lisbon Treaty is a must.