The Lisbon Treaty strengthens the EU as it stands today but with no further objectives. The way it has embedded unanimity in key areas will put huge pressure on the European Council. Pierre Defraigne argues that the coming decade will be marked by greater intergovernmentalism. This speech claims that only the collective leadership of Heads of State and Governments and the President of the Commission under President Van Rompuy’s chairmanship can break the deadlock over the EU’s economic governance and defence.

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