Barroso rallies commissioners behind EU constitution
By Honor Mahony
European Commission chief Jose Manuel Barroso has attempted to drum up support for the beleaguered EU constitution among his fellow commissioners, apparently changing his previous stance towards the document.
Mr Barroso last month wrote to his 24 colleagues saying he wants to bring forward a proposal to give the EU constitution another chance, according to Reuters news agency.
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In the letter he stressed the continuing need for a constitution, writing that "we can find a way out and give Europe a second chance."
The message reveals an apparent change of approach in Mr Barroso's position on the EU charter which has been frozen in political limbo since it was rejected by French and Dutch voters last year.
Soon after its rejection, Mr Barroso was keen to push a practical policy-driven Europe focussing on tangible results that citizens notice
"Instead of never-ending debates about institutions, let's work with what we've got. Political will and leadership are more important than institutions," he said in September last year.
"We should have a policy-driven agenda, so people can see the benefits of the European Union."
This practical approach was followed by a spate of consumer-friendly initiatives such as driving down mobile phone roaming prices and tackling hidden costs in airplane tickets.
Mr Barroso's call for a new initiative on the EU constitution comes at a time when the topic is slowly climbing back up the political agenda after having almost vanished during an extended 'period of reflection' on what to do after the 'no' referendums.
Under its EU presidency during the first half of next year, Germany is going to attempt to get some political impetus behind reviving as much of the constitution as possible.
The Times reports that Chancellor Angela Merkel last week called her ambassadors back to Berlin to discuss how to implement its planned steps for next year.
Under its constitution roadmap, Berlin is intending to sound out opinions during the first few months. This will then be followed by a declaration in March to mark the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome - which kicked off the common market leading to the current EU.
By June, with French elections out of the way, the German EU presidency is hoping to be able to have a timeframe and some concrete steps that other member states can sign up to.
Ms Merkel has previously indicated Germany would like the constitutional process wrapped up in time for the 2009 European elections.