ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the role and capabilities of small member states to influence European politics, with special emphasis on Austria. Robert O. Keohane distinguishes small and big by focusing on whether their leaders think their states have a decisive impact on the international system. The chapter depicts the debate as it unfolded throughout the intergovernmental conference (IGC) negotiations 2000. It describes the positions of the member states in the IGC 2000 concerning the extension of qualified majority voting, and the weighting of votes in the Council. The chapter briefly deals with the future of the European Union—more precisely with the prominent voices heard calling for a constitutionalization of the European Union (EU). In November the French presidency took advantage of the IGC ministerial conclave to invite member states ministers to express their view on the advisability of introducing, as requested by the European Parliament, a reference to the Charter of Fundamental Rights in Article 6 of the Treaty.
