A Step Back in the Integration Process: A Return to the Intergovernmental Method (1966-1986)
De Gaulle rose to power in France during the Algeria crisis in 1958. After overseeing the drafting of a new constitution he consolidated the French presidential system in 1962 by introducing the direct election of the President of the Republic.
De Gaulle was a proud nationalist convinced that France had gone too far as European integration was concerned. Thus, he endeavored to bring about a return to the intergovernmental method of integration, returning power to member states and weakening Community institutions (Giauque 2002, 126-157).18.8.1 The Rejection of Qualified Majority Voting
and the Return of Unanimity: The Luxembourg Compromise
Despite the creation of the first three European communities, the governments of the member states were still not willing to subject themselves to the principle of supranationality by mere majority votes. France, then led by De Gaulle, ceased from attending community meetings (the “empty chair” policy) to block the application of the majority vote principle. On January 30, 1966, through the Luxembourg Compromise, six Community countries agreed that a unanimous vote would be necessary to make decisions on essential issues.[1224]
18.8.2 On the Path Towards Expansion
The success of the European Community’s integration process became clear when England requested membership, a step delayed by De Gaulle’s staunch opposition (Chopra 1974, 148).[1225] When he stepped down in 1969, however, the United Kingdom’s entry became inevitable. On January 1, 1973, the United Kingdom, along with Ireland and Denmark, carried out the first expansion of the European Community, giving rise to “the Europe of the 9”.[1226] This configuration lasted until 1981 when Greece joined, soon followed by Spain and Portugal (1986), countries that had emerged from dictatorships.
18.8.3 The Democratization of the Integration Process:
An Elective European Parliament
As we have seen, the European Parliament appeared in 1962, since which time its members were appointed by each of the member states’ national parliaments, which meant that all MEP’s had a dual mandate. All this changed between May 7-10, 1979, 2 months after Jean Monnet’s death, when the first EP elections would be held by direct universal suffrage simultaneously in the then nine member states to elect 410 MEPs, with a turnout of 63 %. These elections marked a breakthrough, as for the first time European citizens, previously excluded from the integration process, became direct participants in determining the European authorities who would govern them. Direct elections were intended not only to make the integration process more legitimate but also to consolidate the EP’s powers, prestige and influence (Smith 1999, 56) Since then elections have been held every 5 years.[1227]
18.9