Still arguing over the constitution

“Of course, we have a Judeo-Christian past, but the constitution is inspired by a heritage that is cultural, religious and humanist all at once,” Michel Barnier, France’s new foreign minister, said after a news conference at the Foreign Ministry on Tuesday. He made clear that France would not bend to new pressure to inject religion into the draft, noting that the constitution should be “secular.” The current wording, he added, is “well balanced.”

But with the entry of 10 new members into Europe this month, many of them predominantly Catholic, positions have hardened.