The federalist Spinelli Group and German think tank Bertelsmann Stiftung launched yesterday (3 October) a proposal for a reform of the Treaty of Lisbon in the form of a draft treaty called 'A Fundamental Law of the European Union'.

...A brief look at the book sows the following advances in EU integration proposed:

• The EU is defined as a federation of member states;
• EU countries are obliged to respect the "values of the EU";
• The European Commission becomes the EU government, while the Council where member countries sit becomes a second chamber of Parliament. The Commission is responsible to both chambers (the European Parliament and the Council);
• The Council and the Parliament obtain the right of limited legislative initiative;
• The rotating presidency is abolished. The number of Commissioners is reduced, the Commission President decides the commissioners' nominations;
• Some MEPs are elected in pan-European electoral districts, on the basis of transnational lists;
• The Eurozone gets a separate budget;
• A new category of "Associated member state" is created;
• The ECB powers are enhanced. Mutualisation of debt becomes possible on the basis of strict budget discipline;
• Unanimity for treaty change is no longer required.