Nieuw Spaans voorstel inzake stemmenweging (en)

The new Spanish Foreign Minister, has unveiled what his country may be willing to accept in negotiations on the EU's constitutional treaty.

Miguel Angel Moratinos, Spain's recently appointed foreign minister, has spelt out what terms the country would be willing to accept in the contentious area of voting powers.

Speaking at a seminar yesterday (10 May) in Madrid, he said that Spain is ready to accept a deal on the EU's complex `double majority' voting mechanism - where a vote is carried if it receives support from a majority of member states representing a majority of the EU's population.

However, the exact percentages of the majority have long been a difficult issue.

Speaking at the Pablo Iglesias Foundation, Mr Moratinos suggested that for a decision to be reached a majority of states representing 66% of the population must be in favour.

That would mean that EU states representing 34% of the population could block a decision if they wanted to.

Spain's biggest fear in the Constitution negotiations on the new double majority system voting system has always been that the large countries could simply decide to take a decision on an issue and it would not be possible to stop them.

Under Jose Maria Aznar's government, Spain along with Poland scuppered a Constitution deal last year by rejecting a formula which would have weakened their voting power.

However the return to power of Spain's socialist party signalled an immediate shift towards compromise, although just what compromise has not been articulated until now.

Other ideas floating around include setting the bar at 50 of member states representing 55% of the EU population.

EU foreign ministers will meet to discuss the EU Constitution on Monday (17 May).