Germany wants the forthcoming EU constitution to include a mutual defence clause among member-states, which would duplicate that of Nato.

BBC: Analysis: Schroeder challenges the US

Its biggest weapon is a safeguard clause under which Bulgarian court decisions would no longer be automatically recognised in other member states.

ECONOMIST: Bulgarian corruption

But Wisla chairman Bogdan Basalaj, himself a member of the Uefa rules committee, rejected Uche's interpretation of the clause in question.

BBC: Poles suspend Uche

Then on Wednesday, Switzerland, not a member of the EU but part of its passport-free travel zone, invoked a special safeguard clause that allows it to cap the number of workers from 28 European countries.

WSJ: Europeans Stay Rooted, Despite Economy

The Constitution's "speech or debate clause" bars the executive branch from executing a search warrant for non-legislative materials in the office of a member of Congress.

CNN: High court refuses to step in on ex-congressman's case