Experts say this is a mathematical problem, but it is highly sensitive politically. Most states accept the need to reduce the use of the national veto and increase majority voting to avoid deadlock in an EU with up to 27 members. Romano Prodi, the president of the European Commission, calls the veto a ball and chain. At the recent summit in Portugal, Austria was able to hold up agreements on a withholding tax on savings. Britain insists on retaining the veto for tax, defence, social security, treaty changes and border controls.
Minor changes are likely.
As regards the 20-strong European commission, it is a supranational body. But having a national bum on a seat is a right that no member state is prepared to forego. Britain, France, Germany, Italy and Spain are ready to give up one of their current two jobs. Future commissioners from Cyprus and Estonia are likely to find themselves in the de facto role of junior or deputy commissioners. There is a plan to let some states integrate faster than others, so-called reinforced cooperation.