European Union Gets First Constitution

ROME — The leaders of 25 European nations signed the continent’s first constitution at a lavish ceremony today, putting aside deep differences to approve a blueprint for enhancing the region’s political and economic muscle.

Under 16th century frescoes in a palazzo designed by Michelangelo on Rome’s Capitoline Hill, the leaders said they were ushering in a new chapter in European history. They gathered in the same meeting hall where representatives of six countries came together 47 years ago to form the forerunner to the European Union.

“We have seen former dictatorships turn into democracies and witnessed the reunification of Europe,” Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende, whose country currently holds the EU presidency, told the dignitaries as the ceremony was broadcast live across the continent.

The signing represented an important milestone in Europe’s quest to establish itself as a unified bloc. However, the constitutional process can still be derailed, as every country must individually ratify the document for it to become the law of the land. At least 10 nations plan to hold referendums, where results are wholly unpredictable.

The EU, which expanded from 15 to 25 members in May with the admission of Eastern European countries, has a population of 450 million that is surpassed only by China and India. Its multitrillion-dollar economy rivals that of the United States.

The drafting of the constitution was a struggle between competing desires of some states to preserve national identities and sovereignty while having to cede a modicum of independence in the name of forming a united, coherent front.

Critics complained that the 50-article document was watered down in an effort to appease diverse members, with the result a toothless manifesto that makes it too easy for countries to wiggle out of policies they don’t like.

Proponents said it streamlines the EU’s unwieldy institutions. It creates the post of EU foreign minister, who will set policy on terrorism issues, among others, and establishes a longer-term EU presidency instead of the current rotating system where a different country assumes the leadership every six months.

The constitution also enshrines the EU flag — 12 gold stars in a field of pale blue — and selects Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy” as the continent’s anthem.

Even amid today’s fanfare, the ceremony was overshadowed by the kind of dispute that demonstrates the difficulty of finding consensus among the continent’s diverse societies.

Jose Manuel Barroso of Portugal, the next European commissioner, was forced this week to postpone the naming of his executive committee, essentially equivalent to a cabinet, after numerous European politicians complained about the Italian nominee for the sensitive post that handles justice and human rights issues.

The nominee, Rocco Buttiglione, a conservative member of the Italian government, came under fire after comments he made about gays and unmarried mothers.

Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi was quoted today as saying he would not back down on the nomination. The Vatican also weighed in, with several top prelates saying Buttiglione was the victim of an “anti-Catholic” campaign. But pressure was mounting to replace the nominee if Barroso is to gain approval for his committee.

The constitution includes a broad bill of rights, urges citizens to “transcend their ancient divisions,” and says the region’s identity “draws inspiration from the cultural, religious and humanist inheritance of Europe.”

However, officials who drafted the document during 28 months of debate and negotiation rebuffed entreaties from Pope John Paul II and conservative Catholics to specifically acknowledge the continent’s Christian roots.

“Many citizens of this continent — Catholics, Orthodox and evangelicals — wanted a mention of Europe’s Christian roots in the preamble to the constitutional treaty,” Msgr. Giovanni Lajolo, a top Vatican official, told the La Stampa daily newspaper today. “Apart from the anti-Christian prejudice — which is not surprising — it is the cultural shortsightedness that is astounding.”

The signing took place under extraordinary security. Rome’s historic center was a ghost town this morning, with traffic blocked for miles around Capitoline Hill. A 7,000-member security force was deployed through the city and F-16 fighter jets enforced a no-fly zone above.

For all the pomp and circumstance, many Romans — the few who knew what was happening — were less than enthusiastic. Italy and other countries have seen prices rise since joining the EU and adopting the common currency, the euro.

“I only know that since the introduction of the euro we can’t make it until the end of the month, and that I can’t buy a nice T-shirt for my children anymore. So whatever they are doing up there [on Capitoline Hill], won’t make my day any better,” said Nadia Torre, a middle-age woman trying to get to work. “The only thing they care about is the bella figura” — looking good for the sake of looking good.

Pensioner Benito Scarpetta was also skeptical.

“I am afraid they are going to cancel our Italian tradition, or the British tradition,” he said. “I don’t think they should make all the countries uniform, otherwise we lose our culture.”