Maastricht I Decision
France Constitutional Council
92-308 DC of 9 April 1992 (1992)
- Written by Kelly Simon, JD
Facts
The Maastricht Treaty (the treaty), establishing the European Union (EU), required ratification by member states. The terms of the treaty included the creation of an EU currency, the creation of EU citizenship, and the creation of voting rights for EU citizens to participate in local and EU elections in their country of residency, regardless of their national citizenship. In March 1992, French President François Mitterrand (plaintiff) referred the treaty to the France Constitutional Council (the council) to determine its constitutionality and whether the French constitution must be amended prior to the ratification of the treaty. Pursuant to the French constitution, international agreements that limit the country’s national sovereignty may only be ratified with prior amendment of the constitution. The council reviewed the treaty for constitutionality.
Rule of Law
Issue
Holding and Reasoning (Per curiam)
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