Barroso weigert agenda Europese Commissie te wijzigen onder Franse druk (en)

EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS - As the spectre of a possible French no to the European Constitution grows, the Commission President has urged leaders to take control of their national debates and indicated he will not halt his institution's work each time a country faces domestic difficulty.

Speaking on the eve of a gathering of EU heads of state and governments in Brussels to discuss Europe's flagging economy, José Manuel Barroso i acknowledged that Europe is "at a very sensitive stage in political terms" and mentioned the "series of referendums" on the Constitution and "a number of national and regional elections".

But he refused to bow down to political pressure from member states - particularly France - and let the European Commission be given the blame for difficult domestic issues.

"When the heads of state and government signed the Constitutional treaty, they did so because they thought they had the means to get support [for it]", he pointed out.

France under attack

Attacking France specifically, which has been at loggerheads with the Brussels executive over its proposed liberalisation of the services market, Mr Barroso said "if there's confusion in French public life about that, it's not the fault of the Commission".

A debate is currently raging in France as many on the left fear the proposed liberalisation of the service market will lead to a lowering of wages and social security.

The debate has become so heated that it has become embroiled in discussions on the EU Constitution, due to be voted on at the end of May.

Mr Barroso did all but blame French politicians for allowing the Constitution debate to become mired in other issues.

"If there are people in France who say it's all about Turkey, it's not our fault. If there are people in France who say the referendum is about the services directive, again it's not our fault".

"You cannot call upon the Commission to do something which is the work and responsibility of national politicians", said Mr Barroso following calls in recent days for the Commission to explain what the directive is about.

No hostage-taking

The Commission President also indicated that he did not want his institution's work to be taken hostage by member states' domestic issues and refusesd to withdraw his support from the services directive.

Pointing out that there will be a referendum on the Constitution in several countries over the next year and a half, Mr Barroso said "that would mean that the Commission would be completely hamstrung for the next year or so because you might otherwise say 'ah you can't do this because it could have a terrible effect on the outcome of the referendum'."

"That's just not on".

His tough words, in which he also pointed out that France is just one of 25 member states now, will set the scene for Tuesday's European Council.

French President Jacques Chirac, who has already exchanged a heated telephone call with Mr Barroso over the latter's continued support for the services directive, is unlikely to take the words lying down.

The general dispute over the services directive and Europe's direction may also overshadow the summit, which is supposed to have its primary focus on reviving Europe's economy.