The European Parliament and the development of European citizenship: From Fontainebleau to Maastricht (1984-1992)

Written by Gilles Pittoors.

This is the second in a series of briefings looking into the role of the European Parliament in the development of European citizenship, ranging from the 1972 Paris Summit to the 2003 Draft Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe. The present briefing focuses on the period from the 1984 Fontainebleau Summit to the 1992 Maastricht Treaty. This was a pivotal period that shaped the concept of European citizenship as it is understood today.

This briefing delves into the critical role played by the European Parliament in shaping the discourse on European citizenship during this time. Building on its earlier work with the 1984 Draft Treaty on European Union, the Parliament sought to elevate European citizenship from a set of market-oriented rights to a cornerstone of a democratic European community. Despite facing resistance, particularly in maintaining the status quo of citizenship as an extension of national rights, Parliament, with the support of key allies such as the European Commission under Jacques Delors and the Spanish government, succeeded in securing the legal establishment of European citizenship in the Maastricht Treaty.

This period marked a significant discursive shift, recognising citizenship as more than just a by-product of the internal market, but as a foundational element of the European Union’s identity and legitimacy.

Read the complete briefing on ‘The European Parliament and the development of European citizenship: From Fontainebleau to Maastricht (1984-1992)‘ in the Think Tank pages of the European Parliament.