Lisbon Treaty: “Spirit of Solidarity” used to define common energy policy

Under the Lisbon Treaty, Article 100 (part of the section on economic policy) is given a new title, Difficulties in the Supply of Certain Products (Energy). It provides an unacceptably vague new statement on energy. The first paragraph removes the reference to a vote by qualified majority and adds a reference to energy, as follows: “Without prejudice to any other procedures provided for in the Treaties, the Council, on a proposal from the Commission, may decide, in a spirit of solidarity between Member States, upon the measures appropriate to the economic situation, in particular if severe difficulties arise in the supply of certain products, notably in the area of energy".

The additional sentence adds “notably in the area of energy".

Its demands are such that the basis for a common energy policy may now be decided on the spurious grounds of “a spirit of solidarity”. It is inconceivable that such abstractions will be used to define the basis for a common energy policy.