Prodi stirs up rebellion with radical reform plan

An internal rebellion was sparked at the EU yesterday when Romano Prodi, the European Commission's president, launched a draft constitution for Europe.

Pitching him in opposition to Tony Blair and some of his own commissioners, Mr Prodi said EU nations who opposed constitutional reform should be ejected from the union.

He also demanded an end to national vetoes in decision-making, a host of new powers for the European Commission and a Commission president elected by MEPs.

Mr Prodi's blueprint, drafted amid secrecy and codenamed Penelope, calls for majority voting for foreign policy and taxation, a new "Foreign Secretary" based in the European Commission, and for the EU to adopt a Nato-style mutual defence guarantee for its member states. The draft treaty, which would incorporate a charter of fundamental rights into law, specifically rules out ideas for a new president of the EU drawn from the ranks of current or past EU leaders – something that was championed by Mr Blair.

On the eve of Mr Prodi's launch, at a heated five-and-a half hour meeting, Neil Kinnock, the Commission's vice-president, opposed plans to eject any member state of the EU from full membership if they did not ratify the new constitution. He argued that the options outlined might encourage Eurosceptics to think they could opt out of responsibilities of EU membership while retaining the economic advantages. Michel Barnier, the French commissioner responsible for institutional change, also distanced himself from the plan.

The office of the other British commissioner, Chris Patten, made clear he did not feel bound by the content of the draft constitution because of a lack of prior consultation. And Mario Montian, the Italian commissioner for competition, also objected.

Because of the tide of opposition within his own commission, Mr Prodi was forced to present the constitutional blueprint as a working document rather than as a formal document. A second, watered-down paper was issued after approval by the college of 20 commissioners.

Yesterday, British officials made little secret of their opposition to the draft constitution, although it was more warmly received by officials from Germany, the Benelux, and smaller nations. In an encouraging sign for Mr Prodi, French officials were cautious but positive about several elements.

Outside the Commission, the reaction was mixed, as Mr Prodi presented his plan to the Convention on the Future of Europe headed by the former French president Valery Giscard d'Estaing. M. Giscard will draw up a constitutional text that will have to be approved by the head of the 15 member governments.

Unveiling his plan yesterday, Mr Prodi said: "The first point is to abolish the requirement for unanimity. That rule has marked the bleakest periods in the union's recent history." He added: "If the veto has frequently brought paralysis with 15 member states, think what could happen with 25 or more – that is why I think majority voting should be the rule."

He poured cold water on proposals to create a president to oversee the work of national government ministers. He said the post would create problems, asking: "What would he do in the 360 days of the year when the European Council is not meeting and George Bush is not calling?"