Blair in Brussels to discuss controversial constitution

Thursday, 16 October 2003 12:00 AM

Tony Blair is in Brussels today for talks with other European leaders on the controversial new EU constitution.

The new treaty has been drawn up in preparation for the EU's expansion from 15 to 25 member states next month.

The summit is expected to be dominated by talk of voting arrangements, the size of the European Parliament and EU defence policy.

However, the politicians are also likely to discuss jobs, economic growth and post-war Iraq.

Majority voting rights, the roles and powers of the new EU "foreign minister" and "president of Europe" and proposals to expand the European Commission are expected to cause contention.

European Commission president Romano Prodi said in preparation for the summit: "It is important for Europe not to become bogged down in an institutional power struggle in the weeks and months ahead."

The EU's member states and the Commission have given themselves until Christmas to finalise the details of the new constitutional treaty.

Reports surfaced ahead of the prime minister's departure for the Brussels meeting that he was "wavering" in his opposition to a referendum on the new draft constitution.

Downing Street has hinted that, if the government fails to satisfactorily win all the arguments in Brussels regarding aspects of the constitution it is not happy with, then a referendum may be on the cards.

The prime minister's official spokesman said if certain "red lines" are breached, a referendum might be an option.

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