Valéry Giscard d'Estaing, the head of the Convention drawing up a new constitution for the European Union, is heading for confrontation with his 105-member body over uncompromising proposals that could hand more power to EU member states.

Mr Giscard d'Estaing's plans would establish a new, full-time president of the European Council, with a deputy and a permanent office, which many officials in the European Commission fear could become a parallel EU executive. But the controversial nature of his proposals, which concern many smaller states, may make it difficult for the Convention to reach consensus as scheduled by the end of June.

The president or chairman would initially be chosen by EU leaders from among their own ranks or those of previous national leaders who had served for more than two years. His "bureau" could include two serving heads of state or government, as well as the vice-president, who would co-ordinate meetings of ministerial rank.

The idea of a full-time president is opposed by 17 of the 25 present and future member states of the EU, which feel the move will favour the biggest states, although some countries had been edging towards a compromise. More than 60 members of the Convention spoke against the idea when it was debated in January, and only 12 in favour.

Mr Giscard d'Estaing's spokesman said the plans did not inordinately favour national governments over other institutions. "We need a balance between stability and equal participation," he said. "It is wrong to say that anything that strengthens the council rather than the Commission and the parliament is intergovernmental. The council is a community institution too."

Mr Giscard d'Estaing's proposals would also slash the number of commissioners to 13 from 25, and give a central role to a congress primarily made up of national parliamentarians.

The European parliament will be disappointed by his proposals to limit MEPs' role in electing the president of the European Commission to a vote on a candidate previously nominated by EU leaders. Parliamentary selection of the Commission president was a key feature of a Franco-German compromise put forward in January.

Financial Times, April 22 2003