“The Lisbon Treaty went to the core of our European identity. Democracy. The rule of law. Rights and liberties for all. Lisbon gave centre stage to the citizens of Europe. It has brought more power to the European Parliament – the house of European democracy. It has called national parliaments to the forefront. And it has given to the European citizens the right to call on the Commission to propose legislation. It was a breath of fresh air that went through the European democracy.”
European Commission Ursula von der Leyen on the 10th anniversary of the Lisbon Treaty and the Charter of Fundamental Rights, European Parliament, Strasbourg.