Union power struggle yet to be agreed

NOW that a draft version of an EU constitution has been published, the future of Europe is finally being mapped out.

While key issues remain unresolved, it is a matter of some relief that the concept of creating a European superpower has been put on the back burner.

Crucially, the row over who wields power in a union that will soon be expanded to 25 members has yet to be agreed. Disputed issues which remain to be hammered out are plans to replace the EU’s rotating leadership with a full-time president and also the creation of an EU foreign minister.

Dropping the word “federal” will appease sceptics who feared Europe was bent on becoming a superstate. But it is moot whether the drift towards federalism has stopped or that the balance of power has altered.

It is vital that smaller EU states, such as Ireland, be protected against heavyweights such as Britain, France and Germany, which are still hell-bent on dominating Europe.