European Union leaders signed the bloc's first constitution in a glittering ceremony today but celebrations were marred by uncertainty over ratification and political turmoil over the stalled European Commission.
The leaders used private talks on the sidelines to discuss a standoff with the European Parliament over the appointment of Italian conservative Mr Rocco Buttiglione as a Justice and Home Affairs Commissioner.
Incoming Commission president Mr Jose Manuel Barroso's 25-member team had been due to start work next Monday, but he withdrew his contested line-up just before a crucial parliamentary investiture vote on Wednesday to avoid a humiliating defeat.
The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, said this evening that Mr Buttiglione will have to stand aside to resolve the row, saying he did not think a simple reshuffle would solve the problem.
German Chancellor Mr Gerhard Schroeder played down talk of a political crisis, saying he expected a revamped Commission would be approved within a couple of weeks. "We can rejoice at this historic day, even if there are one or two shadows over it," Mr Schroeder told reporters. "I wouldn't call it a crisis - not yet."
Outgoing president, Mr Romano Prodi, said Mr Barroso hopes to have a new commission line-up ready for a meeting on November 17th.
Today's lavish pageant was staged on the Capitoline Hill in the same Renaissance hall where the
Mr Ahern, who won plaudits throughout the EU for negotiating the final details of the constitution earlier this year, told the signing ceremony today member states must ratify the historic accord quickly.
"It is of fundamental importance that all twenty-five Member States now ratify the European Constitution convincingly and on time. The process of ratification will not be easy, but, with energy and determination, it can and will be successful," he told EU leaders.
"The seeming madness of our founding fathers has become a splendid reality, to which a fundamental chapter is being added today," Italian Prime Minister Mr Silvio Berlusconi said.
The leaders agreed the charter in June after months of negotiation, hoping to usher in a period of greater stability and better governance for the newly enlarged 25-nation union with 450 million citizens.
It provides for a long-term president of the European Council of national leaders, a first foreign minister, more powers for parliament and eventually a smaller Commission.
But all member states must first ratify the treaty - a daunting challenge with at least eight, including eurosceptical Britain, planning to hold referendums over the next two years.
Mr Prodi, who is staying on in a caretaker capacity, warned that signature "does not mean we have crossed the finishing line" and ratification could not be taken for granted.
Today's ceremony launched a race among the most enthusiastic
The leaders of France, Germany and Italy said they would start ratification procedures immediately.
Mr Berlusconi hopes Rome will be first to complete the process by the end of this year. British Foreign Secretary Mr Jack Straw said Britain would probably hold its referendum early in 2006.
EU 's six founding nations signed the original Treaty of Rome in March 1957, launching the most successful enterprise in European unification. EU members to be first to endorse the treaty.