IHT: Differences at EU summit threaten to plunge bloc into crisis - by Dan Bilefsky

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Differences at EU summit threaten to plunge bloc into crisis - by Dan Bilefsky

European leaders were confronting a bruising battle Thursday over the European Union's direction at a summit meeting that threatens to exacerbate divisions and plunge the bloc into crisis.

Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany, who is determined to replace the faltering EU constitution with a revamped treaty that would overhaul the Union's creaking institutions, called on leaders of the 27 member states to overcome their differences. She warned that failure would stifle the EU's abilities to deal with pressing global challenges such as climate change, the Middle East and energy security.