Press Release: European Commission launches PLAN D for Democracy, Dialogue and Debate

The European Commission on 13 October 2005 launched its Plan D (Democracy, Dialogue, Debate) laying the foundations for the profound debate about Europe’s future which was to take place in the following months. Faced with French and Dutch no votes on the European Constitution, Heads of Government had called for a 'period of reflection' to enable a broad debate to take place in each Member State. Ultimately, Governments must steer these national debates forward, but the European Commission had a key role in facilitating the process. The Commission’s 'Plan D' - Democracy, Dialogue and Debate - was to put in place a framework, through national governments, for a 25 country debate on Europe’s future. The clear objective was to build a new political consensus about the right policies to equip Europe to meet the challenges of the 21st Century.

• Primary Source