- 2003: Nice Treaty
Since the Treaty of Amsterdam had brought about little change, the EU was not adequately prepared for the enlargement round of the CEECs.
The changes the Nice Treaty brought about where therefore mostly of institutional nature:
- The College of Commissioners would consist of one Commissioner per member state – the number of Commissioners should be reduced once it exceeds 27 Commissioners with the introduction of a rotation system in order to maintain the workability of the Commission
- The President will be nominated by the Council
- The entire college will be appointed by the Council by QMV after approval of the Parliament
- The voting weights of the member states under QMV were changed
- The maximum ceiling of the number of MEPs was raised to 732, a reduction was to be made later
The treaty experienced ratification problems through Ireland: It has to pass changes to its constitution through a public referendum that turned out negative in 2001. In 2002 a second referendum was held and the Nice Treaty could enter into force by 2003.
