Summary
Anton van Schijndel
Nederland en de Europese grondwet: naar heronderhandeling van het Verdrag van Nice
Anton van Schijndel argues that from a Dutch perspective the Treaty of Nice is preferable to the European constitution. Both changes in the weighing of votes in the Council of Ministers and the new set-up of the European Council cause a dramatic shift of power towards the larger member states. Moreover, the constitution downgrades the role of the Commission. As regards the competencies of the Union, the approach to asylum and immigration matters is outdated and overly centralising. The European constitution will be put to a referendum in the Netherlands. A 'No' vote would enhance the position of the Dutch government in the event of a future renegotiation of the Treaty of Nice.