Main points of the EU's Lisbon Treaty
(BRUSSELS) - The European Union's Lisbon Treaty, whose future will be decided by Irish voters on Friday, is a vast package of reforms meant to streamline the bloc's institutions and simplify decision making.
Eurosceptics say the text is a constitution in disguise and a major step towards a federal Europe.
The treaty, signed in the Portuguese capital on December 13, 2007 by EU leaders, must be ratified by all 27 member countries before it can enter force.
While all other nations have chosen the parliament route, Ireland is constitutionally bound to hold a referendum and this plebiscite will be its second, following a shock "No" vote last year.
A "Yes" this time will increase pressure on the presidents of the Czech Republic and Poland to sign off on the treaty and remove the final obstacles to it entering force next year.
Here are some main aspects of the treaty:
A treaty not a constitution:
An attempt to give the EU its first constitution, replacing the key treaties -- the 1957 Treaty of Rome and treaties of Maastricht (1992), Amsterdam (1996) and Nice (2000) -- was foiled in 2005 when Dutch and French voters blocked the move in national referendums.
The Lisbon Treaty will complement and amend its predecessors, not replace them.
New rights for EU citizens:
The treaty makes binding the EU's Charter of Fundamental Rights, though Britain and Poland have obtained opt-outs.
A million European citizens will be able to "invite" the European Commission to submit a legislative proposal in a given area.
Institutions, posts:
A president of the European Council (representing the 27 member nations) will be elected by leaders for a two-and-a-half-year term, rather than the current cumbersome rotating presidency, which gives nations six months at the helm.
The president will prepare summits and represent the EU on the world stage without, it is hoped, treading on the toes of a new "High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy".
This foreign policy post will combine the roles of the current EU High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy (Javier Solana) and the External Relations Commissioner (Benita Ferrero-Waldner).
Nations will continue to preside over lesser ministerial meetings.
The commission -- the EU's unelected executive arm -- will see its number of policy commissioners trimmed from 2014 for greater efficiency.
The treaty also increases the policy areas where the elected European parliament approves legislation, along with member states, notably in the sensitive areas of justice, security and immigration.
National parliaments will have a voice in EU lawmaking, receiving proposals for new legislation to judge whether they impinge on their competencies.
Voting systems:
The areas of decision-making approved by majority voting, rather than unanimity, will be increased, largely in justice and police affairs.
Britain and Ireland can decide not to apply decisions in these areas if they wish, but may not block their EU partners.
The treaty also introduces a new voting system.
Under new "double majority" qualified voting, a minimum of 55 percent of member states (currently 15 of 27 countries) representing at least 65 percent of EU population must vote in favour of new legislation for it to pass.
Get-out clause:
The treaty introduces the possibility for a country to leave the European Union under conditions to be negotiated with its partners.
Guarantees to Ireland:
EU leaders guarantee the treaty will not impinge on the right to life or education. They assure it will not grant Brussels new tax powers, nor force Dublin to take part in EU security operations, harm its military neutrality nor impact on its armed forces.