Constitution signed

last updated 8 January 2015

Rome

The 25 countries that make up the European Union passed a major milestone this week when they approved a new European constitution. The ceremony took place in the same Renaissance palace room where the original Treaty of Rome—establishing the E.U.’s precursor, the six-nation Economic Community—was signed, in 1957. As the union grew over the decades, a provision awarding every member veto power over any decision proved unworkable, and the new constitution allows for the overruling of dissenting countries on some issues. It also includes a new Charter of Basic Rights, which guarantees all Europeans the right to shelter, education, and fair working conditions. But European leaders may have moved more quickly than their peoples will accept. At least 11 countries will hold popular referendums on the constitution next year, and just one nation’s veto could block the entire project.