Against all expectations, the setting up of the European External Action Service (EAS) could be faced with a new setback. Up until 29 June, the European Parliament seemed likely to approve next week in Strasbourg the compromise reached on 21 June in Madrid by the Spanish EU Presidency, High Representative for Foreign Affairs Catherine Ashton, the European Commission and the EP’s representatives, Elmar Brok (EPP), Roberto Gualtieri (S&D) and Guy Verhofstadt (ALDE). But the wind has turned in the last few hours in Parliament, mainly among the ranks of the EPP. The aim is to postpone until the autumn approval of the Madrid agreement, which makes up the political part of the project, on which the EP is simply consulted. According to its backers, the initiative would demonstrate that “nothing will ever be the same” with the Lisbon Treaty and that Parliament will no longer let itself be pressured by the Council. Revision of the EU financial regulation (to include the EAS) and of the staff regulation, the two points subject to co-decision, still have to be negotiated next autumn. The three votes could be grouped. This test of strength with the capitals would hold up the recruitment of staff, which Ashton wishes to start as soon as possible.