Assuming that is right, expect to see a big increase in appeals to the one bit of the European machine where unanimity will remain the rule: the European Council, which gathers together the 27 national leaders of the EU. Under Lisbon the European Council is to gain a semi-permanent president, to replace the system of rotating presidencies.

ECONOMIST: The EU after the Irish vote

The first task may come next week, when European leaders choose candidates for the two top jobs being created by Lisbon: the president of the European Council and a beefed-up high representative for foreign policy.

ECONOMIST: Europe's leadership

The proposal for a citizens' initiative was contained in the Lisbon Treaty and has been the subject of negotiations in recent weeks between the Commission, Council and European Parliament.

BBC: Citizens' initiative debate

The Lisbon treaty is a bit hazy about what the president is to do, beyond organising summit meetings of the European Council and representing the EU in meetings with world leaders.

ECONOMIST: The EU after the Irish vote