Berlusconi jumps the gun on Constitution date

It has emerged that Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi talked out of turn last Friday (2 July) when he announced 20 November as the date of the signing of the EU Constitution.

Mr Berlusconi stated on Friday after a meeting with French President Jacques Chirac, "we will gather together on November 20 in Rome for the signing ceremony".

After Mr Berlusconi's comments, Dutch Foreign Minister Bernard Bot made it clear on Friday that the decision on the date was up to the Dutch E...