In March 2006 we reported about a speech of French presidential hopeful Nicolas Sarkozy who has called for a Mini-Treaty replacing the current draft of the EU Constitution. In the meantime he has renewed his ideas for the future of Europe.

The Italian Prime Minister and former President of the European Commission, Romano Prodi, echoed him. Prodi has called for a trimmed down version of the EU Constitution. He stated, “In my opinion it is possible to restart the constitutional project, but in a greatly simplified form.” Prodi said: “The third part cannot be approved in its current state. I would personally go for a Constitution limited to the main principles, [but] we need to take another look at the operational aspect.” In a Europe of 25, and then 27, unanimity means a complete blockade.

 

Ronald Pabst

 

Further information

Analysis: Sarkozy speech (February 2006)

 

EUobserver.com: Sarkozy keen on radical shake up of EU institutions

 

EUobserver.com: Prodi proposes to chop down EU constitution