Reactions Mixed To Draft EU Constitution

The first draft of a new constitution for Europe has been unveiled that aims to simplify European Union treaties and bring the organisation closer to the vision of a single united body. It is seen as the most ambitious reorganisation the union has ever undergone and proposes the streamlining of the EU's unwieldy and outdated structures while promoting unity.

However, the unity promoted in the document was absent in the reactions from the current and future member states to a number of areas in the draft.

Presented by former French president Valery Giscard d'Estaing in Brussels on Monday, the prototype constitution hints at a future where all the complex EU treaties, which currently bind the separate member states together, are merged into a single, much simpler document. Work on the final draft of the document is not due to be completed until the summer of next year.

The draft follows months of intense discussion concerning the problems and viability of running an enlarged union of 25 or more members from 2004 after the accession of the current candidate states.

Vision of United Europe shows nationhood protected

At the moment, the constitution treaty contains only brief chapter headings but the vision remains clear. Giscard d'Estaing's draft points to a formation of a union of European States with each nation holding onto its national identity while co-ordinating their policies at a European level and implementing some on a federal level.

The document also includes a procedure that will allow countries to be expelled from the Union if they are found to be in violation of the rules and conditions of membership.

The core aims of the constitution include the promotion of Europe-wide social cohesion, the strengthening of economic and monetary union and the creation of high employment. It also sets out plans to define union citizenship and give the people of member states dual citizenship of their own country and that of the European Union, a point that has already brought objections from some current members.

Governing bodies to be streamlined for efficiency

The administration of the EU will also be streamlined under the new constitution. The bodies that run the European Union will have their powers and their roles clearly defined in a bid to make the running of the organisation more efficient. This will apply to the European Commission, the European Parliament and the European Council of member-states.

Another issue that has divided the member states into two camps is the possibility of one all-powerful bidy that overseas the implementaion of European policy.

Smaller countries like Belgium have called for strong leadership in the form of a powerful European executive or Congress which would govern the Union, while France and Britain have proposed keeping more power in the hands of national governments.

Germany has become a champion of the smaller states by arguing for more power and independence to the current executive, the European Commission.

German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer said the Congress would only make sense if it improved the democratic scrutiny of the Union and was not restricted to a merely ceremonial role. "There could be no question," he added, "of weakening the European Parliament nor granting such a Congress a role in appointing the President of the Commission, this being a prerogative of the European Parliament."

Spain and Italy remain undecided on this matter although it is thought both countries favour the French-British position for the moment. It is also possible, however, that they may become 'swing votes' for the smaller countries should the debate arise in the future.

Draft includes details regarding European President

Much to the satisfaction of Britain, France and Spain, the draft refers to details surrounding the appointment of a president for the European Council. Giscard d'Estaing said last week that there was a "very broad consensus" for having a European president and bringing to an end the current six-month rotating EU presidency.

This proposal is strongly backed by the larger countries but has stirred opposition in the smaller states which fear a loss of influence.

But one of the main sticking point seems to be over the very first article in the document: the name.

'The United States of Europe' or 'United Europe'?

There are four suggestions: The European Union, the European Community, United States of Europe or United Europe (the favoured title of Giscard d'Estaing).

One British official told "The Guardian" newspaper, "There is not a cat in hell's chance of it being called the United States of Europe. If anything, it will be called the European Union."