Europese Centrale Bank stelt wijzigingen voor in concept-Grondwet (en)

The European Commission has proposed to the Italian Presidency that the scope of Article 10.6 of the Statute of the European System of Central Bank be widened by introducing a new article III-79(9) into the Constitution. This paper from Mr. Trichet, the President of the European Central Bank, to Mr. Frattini, the President of the European Council, expresses the concern of the Governing Council of the ECB about this proposal. The proposal would significantly expand the scope of the current simplified amendment procedure to change article 10.2 of the Statute, so as to encompass any change to the basic provisions governing the decision-making bodies of the ECB. Trichet argues that the success of the European Monetary Union depends on the soundness of its institutional framework. Basic constitutional rules for the ESCB should be solid and stable, and therefore NOT subject to a simplified amendment procedure, which the proposal suggests.