Lisbon Treaty

The Lisbon Treaty, previously known as the Reform Treaty, is a BFD. The Lisbon Treaty made some edits to the two treaties that make up the supes-official rules of the European Union (EU), taking effect in 2009. The two treaties the Lisbon Treaty updated were the Maastricht Treaty (1992), which was updated to the Treaty on European Union (2007), and the Treaty of Rome (1957...an old-timer), which was updated to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (2007). So. Many. Treaties.

The Lisbon Treaty did a lot, largely reforming the EU and its rules. Some voting rules were changed from unanimity to majority, EU member states have more rights via the bill of rights, called the Charter of Fundamental Rights, more positions were made, and member states are legally allowed to walk away from the EU. Think: Brexit.

Some EU’ers were all for the Lisbon Treaty, arguing it brings some more checks and balances, making things more efficient, and more democratic. Others argued "Why fix it if it ain’t broke?", arguing that the Lisbon Treaty makes things less democratic as it moves more power to the EU and away from member nation states, and increases centralization.

And yeah, it’s just called the “Lisbon” Treaty because it was created and signed in Lisbon.