The Lisbon Treaty: what's in it for us?

After yesterday's 'Yes' vote in Ireland, the Lisbon Treaty is expected to enter into force in January if ratification goes ahead in the two remaining member states - the Czech Republic and Poland.

The treaty will not make much difference to the Maltese citizen. However, in the long run, as an EU member, Malta will have to act in accordance with the new rules and this may have an impact on the political, economic and social evolution of the country.

Under the new rules, Malta will lose its right of veto in some 50 areas of EU policymaking. Although the veto is almost never used by member states, it is still considered a potential safeguard.

However, with 27 EU member states and the possibly more in future, it does not make sense to have a situation whereby a country of 400,000 people can stop a decision that has an impact on 500 million. On the other hand, it will still be up to Malta to decide on the most important areas such as taxation, foreign affairs (including sovereignty issues), defence and social security.

Malta will still be able to nominate a Maltese national for the post of EU Commissioner, thus ensuring its interests in the EU executive are well guarded. Commissioners are expected to look after the common good of the EU, but it is an open secret that they also act in coordination with their home governments.

The bigger countries have other officials who can look after their interests, including high-ranking officials such as directors-general.

Malta will also obtain its sixth seat in the European Parliament with the ratification of the treaty. For Labour's Joseph Cuschieri, the entry into force of the new treaty is a blessing. His decision to cede his parliamentary seat to new leader Joseph Muscat had left him without a job.

After placing sixth in last June's MEP elections, Mr Cuschieri will become an MEP earning some €90,000 a year and tens of thousands of euros more in other perks and allowances for his staff. However, he is going to have to wait a while.

What's in the Lisbon Treaty?

No constitution
The new treaty is a more modest charter compared with the Constitution project that failed in 2005 following its rejection by the French and Dutch. It only amends previous EU treaty rulebooks, and drops some of the symbolic elements of the constitution such as formally recognising the EU flag and anthem.

Charter of fundamental rights
A 50-article charter contains an exhaustive list of well-established rights, such as freedom of speech and religion, but also includes the right to shelter, education, collective labour bargaining and fair working conditions. It will be legally binding on 25 of the 27 EU members. The UK and Poland obtained an opt-out.

National parliament
The EU Parliament will see its members drop from 785 to 750, which would mean fewer seats for 17 of the 27 EU member states. Malta will get an additional seat, boosting its number of MEPs to six. It is not yet known when Mr Cuschieri will be able to take up his seat. Though the treaty is due to enter into force in January, he will have to wait for the approval of a procedure by the European Parliament and a new protocol which will have to be ratified once again by all the 27 member states. Still, Mr Cuschieri might be able to gain observer status sometime next year.

EU Council (representing governments)
The treaty will mean the EU can take decisions by majority rather than unanimous voting in 50 new areas, including judicial and police cooperation, immigration and asylum, education and economic policy. The UK and Ireland obtained opt-outs in judicial and police areas. Unanimity is, however, still required in key areas such as foreign and defence policy, social security and taxation issues. Malta's vote weighting will amount to three votes, one less than Luxembourg.

Foreign affairs
The EU will start being represented on an international level through a representative for foreign affairs, taking the place of the current two-post system divided between the current high representative for foreign and security policy and commissioner for external affairs.

European President
A president will be chosen by EU leaders for a maximum five-year term to chair EU summits, facilitate cohesion and consensus, and represent the EU abroad. This will replace the current system in which EU leaders rotate into the president's post every six months.

However, member states will still get an opportunity to preside over EU Councils at ministerial level for six months on a rotation basis.

European Commission
Member states will retain the right to nominate one commissioner per member state no matter the size of territory or population. All EU Commissioners will have the same powers at the EU executive although their portfolios are assigned by the President of the European Commission.

National parliaments
National Parliaments will gain more say in the EU decision-making process, including a new right to be informed on the evaluation of policies conducted in the area of freedom, security and justice, proposals to amend the treaties and new candidate countries' applications to join the Union. Members of national parliaments would also acquire rights to control Europol and Eurojust, together with the European Parliament.