The EU Institutions between enlargement and the Constitution

The year 2004 has been one of special importance for the European institutions. In addition to the election of a new Parliament and appointment of a new Commission, the institutions have been faced with the challenges posed by the accession of ten new Member States on 1 May, and have begun to look forward to the changes which may be introduced by the Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe which was signed on 29 October. This special issue of Eipascope therefore looks at the EU institutions 'between enlargement and the Constitution'. The introductory article highlights the different dimensions of institutional change which are involved and the different kinds of question which are posed regarding the institutional development of the Union. The five contributions then look at the Council, the European Parliament, the European Commission and the Court of Justice, as well as the institutional dimensions of external action. They ask whether the preparations for enlargement have been sufficient and what the impact of enlargement may now prove to be, as well as looking at what the newly-signed Constitution may mean for the institutions' practical work and political role in the future.