Fight for voting clout hots up
They are close to agreeing on giving the union a president, a foreign minister and on roles for the individual countries during almost a day-long conference on the draft constitution.
But several leaders warned they were in danger of returning to the debacle of Nice when haggling left the union with a system that handicaps decision-making.
Foreign Minister Brian Cowen said Ireland had few problems with the constitution draft as drawn up by the convention.
The threatening rows revolve around the voting systems worked out for decision-making by ministers. Nice gave voting weights to each country and stipulated decisions must be passed by 50% of States representing 62% of the EU's population.
The convention proposes replacing this with a majority of 50% of states representing 60% of the population and abolishing the idea of weighted votes. Spain and Portugal were joined by Malta and Estonia in demanding a return to the complex system of voting devised during frenzied negotiations in Nice three years ago.
The two larger countries say the simpler system in the draft constitution leaves them with less clout than the current agreement where they have just marginally less votes than countries like Germany, France and Britain with much larger populations.
Both the French and Germans suggested this could be accommodated if they, Italy, Spain and Britain returned to their pre-Nice state of having two commissioners.
Mr Cowen said: "We could not accept this on the basis of equality.
"If that was to come back, what other balances would come into the proposal," he added.
Spain has floated the idea of increasing the vote required for ministers taking decisions in councils. The constitution draft says this should require a double majority a majority of member States representing at least 60% of the EU's population.
Spain is suggesting this should be increased to 66%.
Mr Cowen pointed out this would make it more difficult to get decisions between ministers and leaders of the member states, especially with 25 members.
Parliament president Pat Cox, who is taking part in the IGC, said Europe does not need any system that will allow for easier blocking majorities.
"The simple double majority formula rather than the complexities of the Nice Treaty will enhance efficiency in decision-making."
Despite the difficulties, Mr Cowen said he was optimistic that the December deadline to agree the new constitution could still be met.
