The article analyses the evolution that the process of EU constitutional reform has achieved over this past year. It looks into the innovations introduced in the Constitutional Treaty approved in July 2003 at the European Convention and the proposals of the government and the Italian representatives. The paper then goes over the debate at the intergovernmental conference and the role played by the Italian EU Presidency (July-December 2003). It also highlights the critical aspects which led to the breakdown in negotiations at the Intergovernmental Conference and the underlying political motivations. Lastly, it indicates a few steps which need to be taken to restart negotiations, given that the European Parliamentary elections are to be held in June 2004.only subscribers can see the full article