Brussels talks

This interview with the José Manuel Barroso, president of the Commission, hints at how Brussels will play the negotiations on the constitution. He tries to calm Euro-skeptics by claiming that a United States of Europe is not on the cards, saying: “If you ask me, I’m not happy. But the EU does not pretend to be a state and it will not be in the foreseeable future.”

Barroso also makes clear that the more recalcitrant members will be allowed to opt-out of various bits of treaty, “As a rule, to have opt-outs is not good. But if it is the solution, I will not be against it.” I suspect Brown—like John Major after Maastricht —will proudly return to London proudly boasting of the opt-outs he has secured by his negotiating skills. Whether that will be enough to buy off the skeptical press and demands for a referendum remains to be seen.