President of the European Commission Romano Prodi has called for Brussels to be the powerhouse of the European Union, in a speech which is likely to set him on a collision course with EU members' governments.

National leaders should act on their commitment to make Europe a superpower, speaking with one voice is essential to defend Europe's social model in a globalised world and protect our values

Romano Prodi

Presenting the Commission's contribution to a discussion forum on the future of Europe on Thursday, Mr Prodi called for the EU's foreign policy to be run by the Commission.

He also wants a strong, federalist constitution and to abolish national governments' power to veto decisions in most areas.

The proposals are likely to meet furious opposition from countries which have put forward very different ideas to the year-long Convention on the Future of Europe, headed by former French President Valery Giscard d'Estaing.

Ahead of his speech, UK Government sources savaged the ideas, saying they would be "blown out of the water".

'Peace, Freedom, Solidarity'

"National leaders should act on their commitment to make Europe a superpower, speaking with one voice is essential to defend Europe's social model in a globalised world and protect our values," Mr Prodi said.

The Commission's proposals include:

• Creating a foreign minister, to be called Secretary of the European Union, who would represent the EU on the international scene and implement a common foreign policy
  
• Getting rid of unanimity - where all member states have to agree in order to make a decision - and making most decisions by qualified majority voting, even on controversial issues like taxation
  
• Give the Commission more clout to implement EU laws - and to decide if a country has breached them
  
• Allow the European Parliament to elect the President of the Commission
  
• Reform the current system where a different country leads the EU for six months at a time - restricting it to fewer decision-making areas
• Adopt the motto: "Peace, Freedom, Solidarity"

Mr Prodi poured scorn on a British proposal for an EU President, elected by the national governments - an idea which has also won the backing of France and Spain.

He said the post would create more problems than solutions, asking: "What would he do in the 360 days of the year when the European Council is not meeting and George W Bush is not calling?"

Trouble brewing

Mr Prodi is unlikely to get far with his plans for a European foreign minister, who would be part of the Commission.

Convention

Chaired by Valery Giscard d'Estaing Holding year-long discussions Aims to simplify treaties Trying to decide balance of power between Brussels and governments Click here for more about the Convention

At present, foreign affairs issues are shared between External Affairs Commissioner Chris Patten, and Javier Solana, who has the title High Representative for Foreign Affairs.

His plans to scrap the national veto are also likely to meet opposition as many countries are reluctant to give up their power to block changes.

"[Unanimity] has marked the bleakest periods in the Union's recent history," said Mr Prodi

. "If the veto has frequently brought paralysis with 15 member states, think what could happen with 25 or more - that is why I think majority voting should be the rule."

"The status quo is not an option, even more so in view of enlargement," Mr Prodi said.

"We must build the first true supranational democracy in the world," he told the European Parliament.

Mr Prodi's proposals are just some among many which are being put forward by the more than 100 participants in the Convention.