Spain is to reject a new proposal to solve a battle over EU voting rights by saying it falls short of its demands, a diplomatic source said today.
Under a proposed European Union constitution, decisions in an enlarged EU would be taken by at least half of its member states, representing at least 60 per cent of the bloc's population.
Spain says that gives too much power to the EU's four biggest nations and makes it almost impossible for it to block legislation without having one of the heavyweights on its side.
Spain and Poland are determined to cling to voting weights disproportionate to their populations gained in the Nice treaty in 2000.
A row over the issue, pitting Spain and Poland against France and Germany, led to the collapse of an EU summit in Brussels in December.
Under a new idea floated by the EU's Irish presidency, the double majority thresholds would shift to 55 per cent, preventing the EU's biggest three members - Germany, France and Britain - from being able to block a decision on their own.
That would leave Spain even further from being able to muster a blocking minority without support from the larger countries.
"Spain is not satisfied with this proposal. If we want to hold onto a position similar to that which we had under the Nice (treaty), with this formula we do not even come near that," a diplomatic source said today.
German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder signalled yesterday a willingness to compromise over voting rights in the expanding EU while remaining rigid on the "double majority" principle.
The EU expands to 25 members from 15 on May 1st.