Spain assumes EU presidency at tricky stage

SPAIN’S taking over the six-month presidency of the EU will be formally celebrated in Madrid’s Teatro Real, the royal opera house, later this week.

The country’s royal couple will sit on gilt chairs in the massive box framed by red velvet directly opposite the stage for the gala concert.

Under cascading chandeliers, a new chapter of the EU will begin as the Spanish introduce the changes brought about by the Lisbon Treaty, a task that will not be easy as many of the details are far from complete.