Schroder says deal makes larger EU more governable

Berlin has welcomed as a "historic decision" the agreement on the European constitution but has declined to comment on demands from Germany's conservatives that the next Commission president come from the conservative camp of the European People's Party (EPP).

Mr Edmund Stoiber, the Bavarian leader and head of the Christian Social Union (CSU), told a German newspaper yesterday that only a conservative leader of the next commission would have legitimacy among voters.

"The enlarged Europe has become more politically governable, something we always wanted," said Mr Schröder in Brussels on Saturday. He said the fact that the enlarged EU had proved it was still capable of reaching agreement was of "an importance that should not be understated".

"Germany was not just involved, but rather always drove forward the integration advances," he added.

A German government spokesman declined to discuss speculation surrounding the next European Commission president.

"There is an ongoing process and, as the chancellor said, there is the hope that the Irish presidency will be able to set a new date to find a successor to Mr Prodi," said the spokesman in Berlin yesterday.

Germany's opposition Christian Democrats (CDU) welcomed the agreement, but expressed regret about the failure to include a reference to God in the text.

"It's good for Europe that this constitution has been agreed. It's the founding document for a reunited Europe," said Dr Angela Merkel, leader of the CDU. "But we would have liked a reference to God." Her Bavarian counterpart, Mr Edmund Stoiber, also welcomed the deal, saying it was "better than what's currently in place".

"What's important is that it draws clearer lines for those who want to pursue greater centralisation in Europe," he said.

"The future EU constitution demands plainly that the election result must be reflected in the Commission," said Mr Stoiber to Welt am Sonntag newspaper yesterday. "The voter turnout was pitiably low and if one doesn't respect the result, one risks an even lower turnout in the future.

"The European People's Party were sent with a large majority by voters into the parliament. You can't present voters with a Commission president from the other party."

He echoed remarks by Mr Elmar Brok, a senior German member of the EPP, who said he still favoured the Luxembourg head Mr Jean-Claude Juncker.

Germany's Green Party, the junior coalition member, welcomed the agreement and called for an EU-wide referendum to ratify the constitution.

Church leaders in Germany expressed their disappointment at the final text of the constitution. Cardinal Karl Lehmann of Mainz said he was "sad" at the outcome and that the failure to acknowledge Europe's Judaeo-Christian heritage left the document "paler".