The European Union’s economic constitution under the Lisbon Treaty: soul-searching among lawyers shifts the focus to procedure

Presents an overview of the debate on the relationship between market goals and social policy goals from the EC Treaty in 1957 to the Treaty of Lisbon 2007. Considers challenges posed by the increase in legal sources. Highlights the need for procedural solutions aimed at achieving coherence and consistency, the need for the refinement of the proportionality principle as a balancing mechanism, and the importance of the judicial duty to state reasons.