Editing History of the European Union (section)

==2004–2007: The great enlargement and consolidation==
{{Main|History of the European Union (2004–present)|Treaty of Lisbon}}
[[File:José Manuel Barroso (cropped).jpg|thumb|upright|[[José Manuel Barroso]] [[President of the European Commission]] (2004–2014)]]
On 10–13 June 2004, the 25 member states participated in the largest trans-national election in history (with the second largest democratic electorate in the world). The result of the [[2004 European Parliament election|sixth Parliamentary election]] was a second victory for the [[European People's Party-European Democrats]] group. It also saw the lowest [[voter turnout]] of 45.5%, the second time it had fallen below 50%.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_depth/europe/2004/elections_2004/default.stm Vote EU 2004] news.bbc.co.uk</ref> On 22 July 2004, [[José Manuel Barroso]] was approved by the new Parliament as the next Commission President. However, his new team of 25 Commissioners faced a tougher road. With Parliament raising objections to a number of his candidates he was forced to withdraw his selection and try once more. The Prodi Commission had to extend their mandate to 22 November after the new line-up of commissioners was finally approved.<ref>[http://www.bmbrussels.be/box_bmnewcomm.php The new commission – some initial thoughts] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060923001700/http://www.bmbrussels.be/box_bmnewcomm.php |date=23 September 2006 }} bmbrussels.b</ref>

A proposed [[Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe|constitutional treaty]] was signed by [[plenipotentiaries]] from EU member states on 28 October 2004. The document was ratified in most member states, including two positive referendums. The [[2005 French European Constitution referendum|referendums that were held in France]] and [[2005 Dutch European Constitution referendum|the Netherlands]] failed however, killing off the treaty. The European Council agreed that the constitution proposal would be abandoned, but most of its changes would be retained in an amending treaty. On 13 December 2007 the treaty was signed, containing [[Opt-outs in the European Union|opt-outs]] for the more [[eurosceptic]] members and no state-like elements. The Lisbon treaty finally came into force on 1 December 2009. It created the post of [[President of the European Council]] and significantly expanded the post of [[High Representative]]. After much debate about what kind of person should be President, the European Council agreed on a low-key personality and chose [[Herman Van Rompuy]] while foreign policy-novice [[Catherine Ashton]] became High Representative.

[[File:EU28-2013 European Union map enlargement.svg|thumb|Newest state in yellow]]

The [[2009 European Parliament election|2009 elections]] again saw a victory for the [[European People's Party]], despite losing the [[British Conservatives]] who formed a smaller eurosceptic [[European Conservatives and Reformists Group|European Conservatives and Reformists]] grouping with other anti-federalist right wing parties. Parliament's presidency was once again divided between the People's Party and the Socialists, with [[Jerzy Buzek]] elected as the first [[President of the European Parliament]] from an ex-communist country. Barroso was nominated by the Council for a second term and received backing from EPP who had declared him as their candidate before the elections. However, the Socialists and Greens led the opposition against him despite not agreeing on an opposing candidate. Parliament finally approved Barroso II, though once more several months behind schedule.

In 2007, the [[2007 enlargement of the European Union|fifth enlargement completed]] with the accession of [[Bulgaria]] and [[Romania]] on 1 January 2007. Also, in 2007 Slovenia adopted the euro,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/5086546.stm |title=Slovenia clear to adopt the euro |publisher=[[British Broadcasting Corporation]] |date=16 June 2006 |access-date=18 January 2009}}</ref> Malta and Cyprus in 2008<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.euractiv.com/en/enlargement/cyprus-malta-set-join-eurozone-2008/article-163836?Ref=RSS |title=Cyprus and Malta set to join Eurozone in 2008 |publisher=[[euractiv.com]] |date=16 May 2007 |access-date=19 January 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071018013618/http://euractiv.com/en/euro/cyprus-malta-set-join-eurozone-2008/article-163836 |archive-date=18 October 2007}}</ref> and Slovakia in 2009.