The European Constitution
REFERENDUM NEWS
15/07/2005: SLOVAK COURT HALTS RATIFICATION (Bratislava)
The Slovak Constitutional Court has issued a preliminary measure banning President Ivan GAŠPAROVIČ from signing the European Constitutional Treaty, overwhelmingly approved by parliament earlier this year.
The court accepted a complaint by the M. R. Štefánik Conservative Institute, which argued that there should first be a referendum on the issue, the daily SME reports. The institute claims that by approving the treaty Slovakia has agreed to join another state formation, which would require a referendum.
The court's verdict is expected later this year.
11/07/2005: Hans-Gert Poettering congratulates Juncker on his success in Luxembourg referendum
"The strong support for the European Constitution by the citizens of Luxembourg in their referendum will steer the debate about the future of Europe in a positive direction, the chairman of the EPP-ED Group, Hans-Gert POETTERING, said today.
The whole ratification process would have a new dynamic as a result, said Poettering, who expected that the clear result in the Luxembourg referendum would have a positive influence on the ten Member States which had yet to decide on the Constitution. So far the majority of the 25 have agreed to it.
The vote was also a personal success for Jean-Claude JUNCKER, Poettering said. The Luxembourg Prime Minister had been able to convince his people of Europe's need for the Constitution thanks to his own clear position on Europe, and his engagement as President of the European Council in the first half of 2005.
10/07/2005: LUXEMBOURG SAYS YES (Luxembourg)
Luxembourg yesterday threw a lifeline to the European Constitution, voting in favour of the Treaty rejected by France and the Netherlands.
The figures were: 56.5% for and 43.5% against the Constitution.
Luxembourg is the 13th EU state to ratify, though only the second by popular referendum.
"This is a very important vote for Luxembourg," said Prime Minister Jean-Claude JUNCKER. "The message that has emerged from our vote is that the constitution is not dead." "The result means the constitutional treaty will remain on the European agenda," Juncker said. "It will have an influence on the various debates and arguments that will be heard in other Member States."
07/07/2005: MALTA RATIFIES CONSTITUTION (Valletta)
The Maltese House of Representatives today became the 12th EU Member State to ratify the European Constitution, the first to do so unanimously despite a long history of political division over Europe. "Parliament is closing a long, controversial, divisive, chapter in its history and opening another where there is national support on European policy", said Prime Minister Lawrence GONZI. He denied that parliament was wasting its time after France and the Netherlands had rejected the Constitution: "We have the right to take a stand on the matter."
Of the 12 EU states to ratify the constitutional Treaty so far, seven are new Member States - Cyprus, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Slovakia, and Slovenia. Only one other country, Spain, has ratified by referendum.
Malta is the least populous EU member, with fewer than 400,000 people. The second smallest, Luxembourg, is set to hold a referendum on Sunday.
06/07/2005: LUXEMBOURG - "'NO' VOTERS IN RETREAT" (Brussels)
Luxembourg Foreign Minister Jean ASSELBORN said that his country's "no" voters - around 45% in early June - seemed to be in decline ahead of this weekend's referendum on the European Constitution in the Grand Duchy. Luxembourg's poll on July 10 will be the first since the negative votes in France on May 29 and in the Netherlands on June 1.
A "yes" vote on Sunday might make it possible not just to save the Constitution but to launch "a positive signal", Asselborn said.
06/07/2005: MALTA STARTS DEBATE ON CONSTITUTION (Valletta)
Malta's parliament today opens a debate on the ratification of the EU constitutional treaty: Prime Minister Lawrence GONZI said last week that Malta felt it had "both a right and a duty" to express itself on the Constitution, despite the "no" vote in referendums in France and the Netherlands.
Press release of Simon Busuttil MEP (EPP-ED, Malta) on Maltese consensus over EU Constitution
06/07/2005: LUXEMBOURG YES "MAY REVIVE CONSTITUTION" (Luxembourg)
Luxembourg Jean-Claude JUNCKER says a "yes" by his country in this weekend's referendum could yet save the day, despite the overwhelming "no" from voters in the French and Dutch referendums on the European Constitution. All Luxembourg's main parliamentary parties back the treaty, and supported it in its first reading in the parliament. The second reading will reflect the view of the people as expressed in Sunday's referendum. Recent polls show the "yes" camp is still leading in Luxembourg (pop. 465,000), but its opponents have steadily improved their position.
01/07/2005: POETTERING - EUROPE MUST RESPOND TO THE CRISIS (Brussels)
Hans-Gert Poettering, Chairman of the EPP-ED Group in the European Parliament, has called on the Presidents of the Parliament, Commission and Council to respond to the current crisis in Europe by asserting some fundamental positions and by making important policy changes.
Concluding his letter, Poettering calls on the Presidents of the European Institutions to demonstrate a capacity to act and on the Commission to lead the political debate. "We must convince our citizens that only a strong democratic Union will ensure the future of our continent in an unsafe world"
30/06/2005: CYPRUS RATIFIES EU CONSTITUTION (Nicosia)
Cyprus today defied sceptical EU partners to ratify the European constitution. The 56-seat parliament approved the Constitution by a vote of 30-19, with one abstention, after a special two-day session. "It's a great day for Cyprus and it's a very important day for Europe," said Foreign Minister George Iacovou.
Only the Communist Akel party, the largest in the Cypriot House of Representatives with 20 seats, opposed the Constitution. It called the Constitution "neo-conservative" and "militaristic", a surrender to the forces of capitalism.
28/06/2005: EU CONSTITUTIONAL DEBATE STARTS IN MALTA (Valletta)
Maltese Justice Minister Dr. Tonio BORG told the House Business Committee that the Malta House of Representatives would start to debate the ratification of the EU Constitutional Treaty July 6, 2005.
21/06/2005: JUNCKER CONFIDENT LUXEMBOURG WILL MAKE "THE RIGHT CHOICE" (Luxembourg)
Luxembourg Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker said today he was sure that his country "will once more make the right choice" and approve the ratification of the European Constitution in the national referendum on July 10. "The eyes of the world will be turned towards Luxembourg on July 10," he said. Luxembourg, he felt sure, would once again voter "yes for Europe, yes for the country, yes to remain in harmony with ourselves ", Juncker told the Luxembourg Parliament.
It was not certain that the Treaty in its current form would remain in force following the French and Dutch no votes, he said. "In the event of renegotiation, which I hold for improbable, the force will be with those which said yes," he said. He repeated his criticism of British Prime Minister Tony Blair who he said wanted the Summit to fail because of a "neo-liberal" philosophy.
20/06/2005: IMPLEMENT "CONSTITUENT PART" OF NEW TREATY - GISCARD (Paris)
Former French President Valéry Giscard d'Estaing, who chaired the Convention which drafted the European Constitution., said in an interview with France Inter today that, while renegotiating the Constitutional Treaty was out of the question, the issue Europeans faced was whether or not to adopt the "constitutive part" of the Treaty.
He said he hoped that negotiations would result in "putting in place a well-thought-out system which takes into account what the voters wanted to say" and to work out "how one can effectively adopt the constituent part" of the Treaty. This appears to be a reference to the first two parts of the Treaty.
20/06/2005: EUROPEAN INTEGRATION ONLY WAY TO RESOLVE PROBLEMS - JUNCKER (Brussels)
Luxembourg Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker, current holder of the EU presidency, said following the failed European Summit that some EU member states want a free trade Europe and nothing else and others a politically integrated one.
Speaking of "two philosophies" and the arguments which had derailed the two constitutional referendums in France and th4e Netherlands, Juncker said: "I knew the time would come when all of this would come out". But only political integration would allow Europe to overcome the challenges facing the Union.
17/06/2005: EUROPEAN COUNCIL "HAS POLITICAL WILL TO REFORM EU" - POETTERING (Brussels)
The decision to extend the deadline for the ratification of the European constitution by one year showed the political will to make reform possible in a Union of 25 states and 455 million people, EPP-ED Group Chairman Hans-Gert POETTERING said today.
At this stage it was vital that the Union's capacity to act be maintained, he said. The 'pause for reflection' was the correct response, Poettering commented following the summit.
The additional time must be used "so that together, and in dialogue with the citizens, answers can be given to questions about the European Union. This debate must not only be exclusively at the level of governments and parliaments, but must also involve social groups and citizens. The referendums in France and the Netherlands showed that the European Union proceeded too quickly and did not carry the people with it. "
Above all conclusions must be drawn from the enlargement of the European Union. The principle that 'pacta sunt servanda' (treaties are to be honoured) must apply to both contracting parties - the EU and the accession countries. The accession countries must fully satisfy the agreed conditions.
17/06/2005: EUROPEAN COUNCIL SHOWS THE POLITICAL WILL TO REFORM THE EU. HANS-GERT POETTERING, EPP-ED GROUP CHAIRMAN
The European Council, with its decision to extend the deadline for the ratification of the European constitution by one year, found a pragmatic solution to the current situation and, at the same time, showed the political will to make reform possible in a Union of 25 states and 455 million people. At this stage it is vital that the Union's capacity to act be maintained. Therefore the 'pause for reflection' is the correct response, declared the Chairman of the EPP-ED Group, Hans-Gert Poettering, commenting on the decision of the European Council.
"This additional time must be used so that together and in dialogue with the citizens answers can be given to questions about the European Union. Our common values must be defended as well as the Union's capacity to act", declared Poettering.
"This debate may not only take place at the level of governments and parliaments, but must also involve social groups and citizens. The referenda in France and the Netherlands showed that the European Union proceeded too quickly and did not carry the people with it. A pause in the ratification process must be used to close this gap and to find the correct way for reform", declared Poettering.
Above all conclusions must be drawn from the enlargement of the European Union. The principle that 'pacta sunt servanda' (treaties are to be honoured) must apply to both Contracting Parties - the EU and the accession countries. The accession countries must fully satisfy the conditions. Regarding Turkey it is particularly important that the possibility of "a privileged partnership', and not only the membership of the EU, is an integral part of the negotiating mandate of the EU Council of Ministers.
15/06/2005: BARROSO CALLS FOR A PAUSE "BUT EUROPE DOES NOT COME TO A HALT" (Brussels)
One day ahead of a crucial EU Summit to discuss the crisis over ratifying the European Constitution, Commission President José Manuel Durão Barroso called for "at least a pause" in the process to avoid a series of rejections.
"The best solution - but I do not want to trespass into the competencies of the nation states - may be prudence," he said in an interview with France 3 television. "I would counsel at least a pause, a reflection, to give a breathing space."
He called on EU leaders to explain their situation honestly, how they saw the referendum process, and how they wished to proceed.
Barroso said it was necessary to avoid two extreme positions: one which wrote off the Treaty, and the other which was in effect to ignore the French and Dutch "no" votes, to carry on "business as usual".
The Commission president hoped that the European Council would send out a message of unity, "by recognizing that we have a problem but that Europe does not come to a halt". This was not the first, nor would it be the last problem with European integration: "We will get past this problem, which is real, but one which we will be able to surmount", he concluded.
08/06/2005: THE EUROPEAN UNION COULD BECOME UNSTABLE AFTER REFERENDUM RESULTS - SUSPEND REFERENDUMS FOR A LIMITED TIME. HANS-GERT POETTERING, EPP-ED GROUP CHAIRMAN
In a debate with the Council and the Commission Hans-Gert Poettering, Chairman of the EPP-ED Group in the European Parliament, warned of the risk of the European Union becoming disoriented after referendums in France and the Netherlands. "The European Union cannot solve all tasks ahead of us, but without the Union we will not be able to solve any of these major tasks", Poettering said. The goal of European unification is the right one, even when the way to reach this goal is disputed.
France and the Netherlands can not decide for all other Member States of the European Union. Eleven countries, with 220 million citizens, have already ratified the Constitution. The remaining thirteen countries, which still have not ratified the Constitution, must be allowed to have their say. Now we must find a way to establish political clarity of how to proceed on the path to ratification. This will be the most important challenge for the next meeting of the European Council. Suspending further referendums for a limited time is probably the right thing to do while considering ways out of the crisis.
In addition to unpopularity of governments, the no-votes can be explained by a negative feeling towards Brussels and a concern about Europe being overstretched politically, geographically and culturally by the continued process of enlargement. To some people things are simply moving too fast. "We must draw conclusions from this", Poettering said. The European Union must focus on what is really important. The principle of subsidiarity must be strengthened, initiatives should only be taken where individual Member States cannot act efficiently on their own. The enlargement must move forward with care. "Pactae sunt servandae" applies both to the European Union and to countries wanting to join the Union. Poettering urged the Commission to draw an objective and honest picture of the situation in Romania and Bulgaria in its progress reports.
The European Union must insist Turkey fulfils all criteria, in particular the acknowledgement of Cyprus. Negotiations with Turkey must be open-minded. That is, they can lead to membership, but not inevitably. The non-membership, a privileged partnership at the end of negotiations, must remain an option.
With agreement on the financial perspectives (EU budget levels to 2013) the European Council can send a positive signal showing the capacity of the European Union to act and thereby re-build confidence. Everyone must participate. Including those who insist on a one per cent limit of GDP, and in particular the United Kingdom with its rebate. The crisis provides us with an opportunity to find new solutions.
02/06/2005: SECOND BLOW TO CONSTITUTION - "BUT IT'S NOT END OF THE ROAD" (Amsterdam / Brussels)
The Dutch delivered an overwhelming "no" to the European Constitution in yesterday's referendum. Provisional final results are 61.6% "No" and 38.4% for. (Because of postal ballots, the official result is not expected until June 6). Turnout was 62.8%, more than the double the level politicians set as a minimum for the vote to be accepted as the public's verdict on the Treaty.
EPP President Wilfried MARTENS said: "It is disappointing that two of the main EU founding members said ‘No’ to such an important common project as the European Constitution, which was created for a peaceful, democratic and prosperous future of all European citizens”. But he felt sure a solution could be found, as it had been so often in the past. "This is just an obstacle in our path, not the end of the road,”he said.
Leaders of the EPP political family meet for the EPP Summit on June 16 just before the European Council, when Martens said he expected a commitment to "a strong, united and efficient enlarged Europe in the coming years."
EPP-ED Group leader Hans-Gert POETTERING conceded it had been "a setback" that two EU countries, with a combined population of 75m, had voted against the Constitution.
But nine others, with a total of 220m citizens, around half the EU population, had already ratified: Austria, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Lithuania, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Spain. In Spain 76% of the electorate had made their - positive - decision by referendum. Poettering said the Treaty itself made provision for the Council of EU leaders to discuss a solution should one or more of the 25 Member States had problems ratifying the Constitution.
He called for "a clear signal" in two weeks' time that the Union would not be deterred from its core tasks. Concerns raised by the French and Dutch referendums, on immigration, jobs, and internal and external security, could be better handled by the Union than by its Member States acting alone, he insisted. The same held good for the more fundamental issue of defining Europe's geographical limits and identity.
01/06/2005: NETHERLANDS GOES TO THE POLLS (Amsterdam)
The Netherlands began voting on the European Constitution today. The verdict of the Dutch referendum is consultative only, but the political parties have agreed to abide by the popular verdict if turnout is more than 30%.
Polling stations opened at 07.30 GMT for the more than 12m people eligible to vote and will close at 21.00, when a national exit poll is due to be published. Interim results with around half the vote counted are due at around 22.00 GMT, with a final outcome expected at 02.200 tomorrow morning.
Polls are still pointing to a "No", which would compound the crisis of confidence triggered by France's rejection of the Treaty.
In a last-minute appeal to voters yesterday, Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende called on voters to approve the constitution despite the French "No".
"There is all the more reason to say 'Yes' so that some progress can be recorded with the constitutional treaty," Balkenende told journalists. "Each country has its own responsibility. That means that Dutch voters have to weigh it up for themselves. The Netherlands has a lot to gain from this Constitutional Treaty. It is in the interest of Europe and of our own country."
30/05/2005: FIGHT FOR TREATY CONTINUES DESPITE FRANCE'S 55% "NON" (Paris)
France yesterday decisively rejected the proposed Constitution for Europe. Foreshadowed in recent polls, the French "non" signals a crisis for the 448-article Treaty, which needs all 25 members of the European Union to ratify it before it can take effect. Nine other EU members have already approved it.
Dutch prime minister Jan Peter BALKENENDE, called on voters to approve the constitution in its referendum on Wednesday. "There is all the more reason to say 'yes' so that some progress can be recorded with the constitutional treaty," he said. Each country has its own responsibility." The Dutch polls show about 60% opposition to the Constitution.
Luxembourg Prime Minister Jean-Claude JUNCKER, who currently holds the EU's rotating presidency, insisted the ratification process must proceed in other countries.
Hans-Gert POETTERING, leader of the EPP-ED Group in the European Parliament, said the ratification process would have to be continued in the other Member States. Eventually EU leaders would have to decide whether, and in which way, the Constitution - or at least important parts of it - could still become legal reality.
"We respect the vote of the French citizens, but it is regrettable that they could not be convinced of the advantages and usefulness of the Constitution for the EU as a whole, but equally for the rights of each of its citizens," Poettering said. Never before had there been such a broad consultation, or such a broad consensus achieved, before the adoption of a European Treaty.
About 70 % of France's registered 41.8 m voters cast voters. Throughout Sunday in Paris, electronic billboards urged: "Don't let the others decide for you. Go and vote."
French President Jacques CHIRAC said in a brief live statement on television last night: "The decision of France inevitably creates a difficult situation for the defence of our interests in Europe. I will tell you in the very next days my decisions regarding the government and its priorities."
He has consistently rejected calls for him to resign if the referendum failed, saying it was "neither a plebiscite nor a moment of political change."
The only other rejection of a French president in a referendum has been in 1969, when Charles de GAULLE proposed a measure to renovate the Senate, create regions, and seek support after the student uprisings of May 1968. He promised to leave office if the "no" won. When it did by a small margin, he resigned the following day.
Other comments:
Reactions by other Leaders (BBC)
European People's Party statement
27/05/2005: CHIRAC MAKES LAST-MINUTE PLEA ON CONSTITUTION (Paris)
In a passionate address to the French people, French President Jacques CHIRAC last night urged voters not to turn Sunday's referendum on the European Constitution into a plebiscite on his government.
The issue was far more important than that, he said. A "yes" vote was vital, "for the future of France and the future of Europe". Voting against the Treaty would be a serious blow to the EU, Chirac said.
The campaign ends at midnight tonight, after a day which will see the final ratification of the Constitution in the German Upper House (Bundesrat).
In France, 11 successive polls have shown a clear lead for the "No" camp in recent days. The latest, by TNS Sofres-Unilog, shows the "No" camp on 54%, with "Yes" on 46%.
France is the second EU member to hold a referendum on the constitution. Spain's referendum resulted in a "Yes" vote, which was then ratified by both houses of parliament.
26/05/2005: CHIRAC'S LAST-MINUTE PLEA FOR A "YES" (Paris)
French President Jacques CHIRAC today made his final push to ensure a "yes" in Sunday's referendum on the European Constitution.
The latest poll had 54 % of voters planning to vote against the treaty, compared with 46 % in favour. But polls also show that 20 % of voters are undecided -- offering a glimmer of hope for the "yes" camp.
Chirac hopes to turn the situation round in a televised address at 20.00 this evening.
25/05/2005: RAFFARIN: THE GAME IS NOT OVER (Paris)
French Prime Minister Jean-Pierre RAFFARIN said today that "the game is not over" for the May 29 referendum on the European Constitution, despite the continuing majority of 'no' intentions in the opinion polls. "Nothing is decided until the people have their say," he said on the private LCE television channel. "Everyone has always known that the French wait until the last minute to make their choice, after listening to all the different opinions." He argued that a 'yes' was a project: "a 'no' is merely surrender."
24/05/2005: STRONG EUROPE NEEDED TO STAY GLOBALLY COMPETITIVE - BALKENENDE (Paris)
Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter BALKENENDE said in an interview published in today's French daily Le Figaro that "now is not the time to hunker down behind our national borders."
He argued that only a strong Europe could face up to the challenge of the resurgent Chinese and Indian economies. The European response must, he said, be "competitiveness, justice, and social protection."
Common EU do not imply loss of national identity, he argues. As for th4e Constitution, it was not perfect, Balkenende concedes, "but it is undeniably a step towards the European ideal."
24/05/2005: A FIFTH OF FRENCH VOTERS STILL UNDECIDED (Paris)
With just days to go before a fateful referendum on the European Constitution, an estimated one in five French citizens is still undecided on how to vote on May 29, according to the latest polls.
The proportion saying they may still change their minds varies between 20 and 24 %, according to an analysis of the polls published in today's Le Monde.
How they will eventually vote is unclear. Brice TEINTURIER, director of the Sofres' Politics and Opinions department, said there was "a very slight lead in the category of those certain to vote no, but it remains minor".
23/05/2005: DECISION DAY ON ESTONIAN REFERENDUM (Tallinn)
The Estonian daily Päevaleht reports that a panel of experts is to announce its decision on June 3 on whether the Estonian constitution allows parliamentary ratification of the European Constitutional Treaty, or if there needs to be prior amendment to the national constitution.
23/05/2005: FRENCH UMP LAUNCHES FINAL CAMPAIGN ON REFERENDUM (Paris)
The EPP member party UMP is to hold 100 public meeting across France in the last week of the campaign for the May 29 referendum on the European Constitution, it was announced today.
Party spokesman Valérie Pécresse said that despite negative opinion polls she believed in victory "more than ever."
23/05/2005: HOUR OF TRUTH - NO DIVORCE FROM EUROPE (Paris)
For French deputy Alain LAMASSOURE (UMP, France - EPP-ED) it is clear that the May 29 referendum on the European Constitution "is like no other election", with huge and lasting consequences.
He told a UMP press conference today that the French people were faced with a simple question: did they want a Europe which was more united and therefore stronger.
"Will France become more influential?" he demanded. "Will citizens of this new, more political have more influence? The answer is 'yes'"
The Constitution was a Treaty between peoples, a marriage. "Every marriage has a Plan B," Lamassoure said. "It is called divorce!" Those who opposed the Treaty, largely a French creation, were people who did not love France and were against a vision of a Europe "which has been able to unite in diversity and national independence."
The European political model was neither federal nor conferederal, and culd therefore rally the peoples of Europe, he said.
23/05/2005: RATIFYING THE EUROPEAN CONSTITUTION
All Europe is waiting with baited breath for the French referendum on May 29, with the Dutch poll three days later.
The process of ratification takes different forms in each country, but almost everywhere there has been public pressure for a direct public say on the European Constitution. In total, 10 EU states will, or have, taken the parliamentary route. Only the Czech Republic has yet to make up its mind about whether or not to hold a referendum.
19/05/2005: BELGIUM - ONLY FIVE MORE PARLIAMENTS TO GO (Brussels)
The Belgian federal parliament today followed the Senate in voting overwhelmingly to ratify the European Constitution. Five regional parliaments now need to give their approval for ratification to be complete.
17/05/2005: FRANCE KICKS OFF REFERENDUM CAMPAIGN (Paris)
The campaign for the French referendum began officially today, with less than two weeks to go before the big day: May 29.
Several polling organisations have put the "no" voters ahead again for the May 29 French referendum on the European Constitution. Two organisations, CSA and Ipsos put the negative vote back at 51%. An Ifop poll published on 14.05.05 put the "no" vote even higher, at 54%.
12/05/2005: GERMAN BUNDESTAG BACKS EU CONSTITUTION
The German Bundestag (lower house of parliament) overwhelmingly voted yesterday to back the EU Constitution. Of the 594 votes cast, 569 were in favour, 23 against and there were 2 abstentions. The vote is hoped to win over voters in France. The Bundesrat (upper house of parliament) is expected to complete the ratification of the EU Constitution on 27 May, two days before the French referendum.
12/05/2005: LATVIAN PARLIAMENT - FIRST READING IN FAVOUR OF CONSTITUTION
The 100-seat Latvian Saeima (parliament) today voted strongly in favour of the new European Constitution at its first reading.
Eighty-two deputies voted for the Constitution, one against, and 12 abstained; five were absent.
The Saeima expects to ratify the constitution after a final reading on May 27.
11/05/2005: SLOVAKIA RATIFIED CONSTITUTION (Bratislava)
The Slovakian Parliament ratified the Constitution by 116 votes to 27 with four abstentions.
11/05/2005: AUSTRIA RATIFIES CONSTITUTION (Vienna)
The Austrian Parliament (Nationalrat) today decided to ratify the European Constitution. 282 of 283 MPs of all parties voted in favour, with only one MP from the splinter Freedom Party, the FPÖ, voting against.
11/05/2005: SLOVAKIA TO VOTE ON CONSTITUTION TODAY (Bratislava)
The Slovak Parliament is expected to debate and vote on the European Constitution today, at the same time as neighbouring Austria. The co-ruling SDKU and liberal ANO, ethnic Hungarian SMK, and the two opposition parties Smer and HZDS confirmed on 09.05.05 that they will support the Treaty. To pass, it needs the support of at least 90 of the 150 parliamentarians .
10/05/2005: LATVIAN RATIFICATION "BY END OF MAY" (Riga)
The Latvian Foreign Ministry today submitted the European Constitution to the country's parliament, the Saeima, for ratification. The government hopes to have the process completed by the end of May.
The new Treaty had been submitted to the Saeima last January, and was withdrawn after numerous spelling and grammatical mistakes were found in the Latvian translation. Latvian Foreign Minister Artis PABRIKS (TP, EPP-ED) told the Cabinet that 10 important corrections had been made to clarify the document's content, but it still contained many errors of spelling and punctuation.
The parliament is dominated by five centre-right pro-EU parties, and is expected to vote in favour.
09/05/2005: SLOVAK PARLIAMENT EXPECTED TO RATIFY ON MAY 11 (Bratislava)
The spokesman of the Slovak Parliament said today that it would debate the European Constitution on Wednesday (11.05.05), and take a vote in the early evening. To pass, the new Treaty needs to be approved by 90 of the 150 deputies in the single-chamber parliament.
04/05/2005: 3 OPINION POLLS SHOW THE COMEBACK OF THE "YES" - UMP INTENSIFIES ITS PROXIMITY CAMPAIGN
On the occasion of the Europe Day on 9 May, the UMP party, chaired by Nicolas Sarkozy, will distribute 600,000 copies of the "Journal du oui" (Yes newspaper) in the metro and train stations, before the major gathering of the French EPP sister party in Paris on 12 May. The centre-right electorate, and specially the electorate of the UMP, is the most determined to vote in favour of the EU Constitution, according to the polls, which confirm the new trend in favour of the "Yes" vote (53%/47%, poll by Ipsos-Le Figaro-Europe1 made public yesterday). Brice Hortefeux MEP, UMP Delegate Secretary-General, welcomes this development and underlines the pro-active attitude of the French Government, of the centre-right MEPs, MPs and local and regional councillors in favour of the EU Constitution: "This campaign is exemplary and is beginning to be fruitful: the more French citizens are informed, the more they are inclined to say Yes".
Link to the electronic version of the UMP MEPs' letter, "Special EU Constitution"
02/05/2005: FRENCH 'YES' CAMPAIGN STARTS COMEBACK (Paris)
Two opinion poll over the weekend show the 'yes' campaign gaining ground in France ahead of the May 29 referendum on the new European Constitution. The opposition registered in 20 successive polls may at last be losing ground.
A TNS-Sofres-Unilog poll showed that among those intending to vote, 'yes' support had climbed to 52 % from 45 % a fortnight previously. The 'no' vote was down from 55% to 48 %.
The other poll, by Ifop for the Journal du Dimanche, also gives some heart to 'yes' campaigners. Although the 'no' vote still stands at 52%, the 'yes' figure at 48 % is four points higher than on April 15.
During yresterday's May Day celebrations, President Jacques CHIRAC, argued that the Constitution was not a danger to France's social model. Closer economic co-operation 'benefits everyone', he said. Some analysts argue that the launch in Toulouse last week of the new Airbus A380 passenger jet alsp offered a tangible and 'feel-good' example of pan-European co-operation.
Link to: www.ensemblepourleoui.fr/
29/04/2005: DISCUSSIONS IN GERMANY OVER CONSTITUTION RATIFICATION
The date of the ratification of the European Constitution by the Bundesrat (Upper House) was at the centre of discussions between Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder and Minister Presidents of the powerful regions (Länder). Some Land premiers demanded a greater say in EU affairs from the federal government. The vote in the Bundesrat on the constitution is scheduled for 27 May, two days before the French referendum. The Bundestag (Lower House) votes on May 12.
28/04/2005: SPANISH PARLIAMENT RATIFIES EUROPEAN CONSTITUTION (Madrid)
Spain's lower house of parliament today ratified the European Constitution by 311 votes to 19, two months after Spaniards backed the Treaty in a non-binding referendum.
28/04/2005: CHALLENGE TO CONSTITUTION REJECTED (Karlsruhe)
Germany's highest court today rejected a legal challenge to the country's ratification of the new European Constitution. The Bundestag (parliament) will now vote on it in May.
28/04/2005: BALKENENDE - "NO" CAMP IS USING SCARE TACTICS (Amsterdam)
Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter BALKENENDE said today that opponents of Europe's new constitution were spreading "horror stories" to try to win the argument ahead of the June 1 referendum.
"Opponents of the European constitution are doing everything in their power to get support for their view," Balkenende wrote in De Telegraaf, the biggest Dutch daily. "There are a lot of horror stories doing the rounds in Europe about the constitution."
Balkenende said commemorations next month to mark the end of World War Two in Europe should remind voters EU integration had helped secure peace and prosperity and was essential for the continent to face future challenges: "I call upon all supporters to show their colours and beat the drum...We must not allow this unique chance for a better Europe to pass us by."
After a slow start, campaigning on the constitution has accelerated this week, with Balkenende's ministers making television appearances to rally support and with the distribution of the treaty to voters' homes across the country.
In his article Balkenende rejected suggestions by the "No" campaigners that the Treaty would open the door to Turkish EU membership, lead to higher defence spending, and undermine animal rights.
The two latest polls have confirmed that the "No" camp is in the ascendant, and would on present showing win a majority. But the overwhelming attitude in traditionally pro-European Holland is indifference.
27/04/2005: "NO RENOGITATING TREATY" SAYS JUNCKER (Strasbourg)
Speaking to the Council of Europe today, Luxembourg Prime Minister Jean-Claude JUNCKER said there was no way of renegotiating the Treaty establishing a European Constitution if one country voted "no". He said the ratification process would continue. If one, two, or three EU states voted against, then it would be a matter for the European Council to deal with.
"Europe needs this constitutional treaty,", he said. "It is certainly not perfect but I don't know of a treaty which is.."
He called for a "frank and massive 'yes'" to the constitution.
21/04/2005: 'YES' VOTE UP IN LATEST FRENCH POLL (Paris)
The CSA agency (for Le Parisien/Aujourd'hui) today published a poll showing a big leap in the numbers of French voters intending to vote "yes" in the May 29 referendum on the European Constitution - up from 42% to 48% "yes" against 52% "no".
The same institute found on April 15 (following President Jacques CHIRAC's broadcast on TF1) that the "no" voting intention stood at an all-time high of 56%, against 44% "yes".
20/04/2005: GREECE BECOMES SIXTH TO BACK TREATY (Athens)
Greece last night became the sixth country to ratify the new European Constitution, after parliament gave it overwhelming backing in a televised roll-call vote.
Deputies from both the governing New Democracy (ND) party and the opposition Socialists supported the Constitution by a wide majority, reflecting popular support in Greece for closer European integration.
Prime minister Costas KARAMANLIS turned down a last-minute proposal for a referendum proposed by the Socialists and two small leftist parties.
Hungary, Italy, Lithuania, and Slovenia all approved the Treaty by similar parliamentary procedures, and Spain following a referendum in February.
20/04/2005: LEQUILLER EXPLAINS THE CONSTITUTION (Paris)
EPP Vice-President Pierre LEQUILLER, chairman of the French National Assembly delegation to the European Union, has published a book which sets out to make the European Constitution accessible to the young and not so young, "to take part in and share faith in Europe" as he puts it. The book is entitled Correspondance européenne avec 25 jeunes de l’Union ("European Correspondence with 25 Young People from the Union") and sets out powerful argumentsfor a "yes" vote in the May 29 French referendum on the new Treaty. The publisher is Éditions Lignes de Repères.
Link to: http://www.robert-schuman.org/
19/04/2005: 'YES' CAN STILL WIN SAYS RAFFARIN (Paris)
The 'Yes' vote can still win France's referendum on the European Constitution, Prime Minister Jean-Pierre RAFFARIN said today. He said undecided voters held the key on May 29.
Although a new poll shows the 'no' vote is consolidating, Raffarin told RTL radio: "a majority of French people have still not said how they will vote, haven't made up their minds. So it's totally open...Elections and major democratic debates are decided in the last few weeks and days, so of course there's hope for the 'Yes'."
A poll published in today's daily Le Figaro shows 55% opposition, and 45% support for the new Treaty.
19/04/2005: CYPRIOT HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TO RATIFY THE EUROPEAN CONSTITUTION BY END OF MAY (Nicosia)
Following a meeting with leaders of the parties represented in the Cypriot Parliament its Committee on European Affairs decided last night to ratify the new European Constitution before the end of May. The exact date has yet to be decided.
18/04/2005: GREECE DELAYS DEBATE TO TOMORROW (Athens)
Greece's parliament, which delayed the vote on ratifying the new European Constitution to allow for a longer debate, is due to vote tomorrow (19.04.05), according to parliamentary sources. Both the ruling Nea Demokratea and the opposition Socialists support the new Treaty, which is expected to be approved by an overwhelming majority.
18/04/2005: NEDERLANDS: CAMPAIGN STARTS (The Hague)
The Dutch government kicked off its "yes" campaign for the European Constitution, subject of a referendum on June 1. Prime Minister Jan Peter BALKENENDE said he would actively engage in the campaign. All ministers were "extremely motivated" to defend the Constitution, he said.
The last public opinion poll, by Maurice de Hond on 06.04.05 found 38% of respondents said they would reject the constitution, and 30% would vote "yes".
15/04/2005: CHIRAC APPEALS TO NATION (Paris)
During a televised debate last night (14.04.05) French President Jacques CHIRAC called on his fellow countrymen not to be afraid of Europe. The vote on the Constitution must not depend on domestic political issues, he said. He reminded his audience that the subject in hand was Europe and its future.
12/04/2005: POLLS CONTINUE NEGATIVE IN FRANCE (Paris)
Speaking at a dinner last night, French President Jacques CHIRAC called on the French people to recognise that the new European Constitution "opens the gates to the future."
Building Europe was "our common destiny", he said at a dinner for Portuguese President. Success was vital "to confirm the European social model, based on justice and solidarity," Chirac said.
A poll, by CSA for France-Info and the France-3 broadcast "France Europe Express", published today, found 48% of those who had made up their minds were against the Constitution and 46% in favour. The interviews were conducted on April 6 and 7.
All polls have for weeks found a rising tide of negativity about voting intentions in France's May 29 referendum: 53% now say they will vote against, with 47% for, according to an Ipsos poll for the daily Le Figaro published on Monday.
The previous Ipsos poll, carried out on April 1 and 2, showed the 'no' vote at 52% and the 'yes' at 48%. The strongest opposition is coming from the Left and the extreme right, according to Ipsos.
11/04/2005: CHIRAC TO INTERVENE PERSONALLY IN REFERENDUM CAMPAIGN (Paris)
French President Jacques CHIRAC is to take part in a live, prime-time TF1 television debate entitled Referendum: live from the Elysee (20h50 on Thursday,14.04.05).
Chirac had been due to broadcast last week, but the date was put back because of the funeral of Pope JOHN PAUL II.
He will debate with some 80 young people agedb 18 to 25, some for and some opposed to the European Constitution. The discussion will be chaired by TF1's most widely-known journalist, Patrick POIVRE D'ARVOR.
The French referendum on the Constitution is being held on 29.05.05.
11/04/2005: "YES" CAMP LEADS IN DENMARK (Copenhagen)
A poll by Rambøll Management published in the daily Jyllands-Posten today shows the "yes" vote in the lead with 30% (though down from 33% in March). 22% of Danish voters against the European Constitution, and 48% have not yet made up their minds about.
As the September 27 referendum approaches, "no" campaigners are trying to link the Constitution issue with Turkey's application for membership. Yesterday saw the launch of a cross-party centre-left "no" campaign which brings together 12 eurosceptic parties, movements, and trade unions.
07/04/2005: POETTERING WELCOMES ITALIAN RATIFICATION (Sofia)
EPP-ED Group leader Hans-Gert POETTERING today welcomed the vote by the Italian Senate which completed Italy's ratification of the European Constitution. (Italy's lower house ratified the new Treaty earlier).
Italy is the fifth country to ratify. It was, said Poettering, "a positive signal" for the imminent referendum in France: "France's two powerful neighbours, Spain and Italy, have given the process a strong push forwards by voting for the Constitution. I hope this has an influence on the mood in France."
06/04/2005: RAFFARIN DEFIANT IN FACE OF GROWING 'NON' MOOD (Paris)
In an opinion poll on the European Constitution by TNS-Sofres for the daily Le Monde, RTL, and LCI, published today, the indications remain : 53% would vote 'no' and 47% 'yes', with 17% of those intending to vote saying they might still change their minds.
The poll involved 910 representative people aged over 18.
This is the ninth successive poll suggesting a victory for the 'no' voters in the May 29 referendum. But, speaking to the National Assembly, French Prime Minister Jean-Pierre RAFFARIN remained confident France would vote for "a strong France in Europe." He is anxious to disentangle national from European issues.
The referendum was neither a plebiscite nor a vote of confidence or no-confidence, he said: "France needs Europe but Europe needs a 'yes" from France," he said. "Voting 'no' would weaken France".
A country-wide rolling campaign by the Association Civisme et Démocratie (CIDEM) began last weekend and will continue until 29.04.95. Europe's "round tour of France" is a joint campaign by the ministry for European Affairs and the European Commission. Twelve young people will travel with three buses to over 60 towns in France to stimulate debate and explain about European issue and their impact on daily life.
04/04/2005: POLLS ON REFERENDUM LOOK GLOOMY FOR "YES" CAMP (Paris)
The polling agency Ifop (for the weekly) Le Journal du dimanche) predicts that a referendum on the European Constitution, if held in one week's time, would deliver a decisive "no" to the new European Constitution: 55% 'no' against 45% 'yes'.
The Ifop poll, the sixth consecutive survey to find a majority against the Constriction, found 63% sure of their choice, and 37% who said they might still change their minds.
The survey was undertaken by telephoning 868 representative voters over 18 between March 31 and April 1.
04/04/2005: GREECE TO DEBATE CONSTITUTION MID-APRIL (Athens)
The Greek Parliament is to begin a five-days special session to debate the European Constitution. A vote will be held on the new Treaty afterwards. A reinforced majority of three fifths of MPs (180 out of 300) is needed for its final approval.
Last Thursday (31.03.05) Greece's Nea Dimokratea government rebuffed opposition demands for a referendum. Under the Greek Constitution, international Treaties and Conventions are subject to parliamentary approval.
The two main parties in parliament, Nea Dimokratia and the opposition PASOK, both back the European Constitution.
31/03/2005: RAFFARIN RALLIES 'YES' VOTE IN FRANCE (Lyon)
last night that the country risked losing its hard-won role as one of the lynch-pins of the Union if "the forces of conservatism and immobility" were allowed to derail the Constitution.
Five recent polls have suggested a rising tide of negative opinion on the issue, especially on the Left, despite an internal Socialist Party ballot in favour. Much of this sentiment is fed by unconnected issues at home, and at Union level Turkey's application to join the EU, on which negotiations are due to start in October.
"Its stunning to see those who vote 'no' are discontented with Europe," Raffarin said. "By voting 'no' they (those opposed to the Constitution) will keep the very Europe that they are unhappy about," Raffarin said.
European Commission President Jose Manuel BARROSO yesterday called France "a great country that has made great contributions to Europe's course...In Europe, France is an indispensable country," he said.
President Jacques CHIRAC will be issuing a "strong message" of support for the Constitution, government spokesman Jean-Francois COPE said yesterday.
27/03/2005: JACQUES CHIRAC - "THINK HARD" ABOUT REFERENDUM (Tokyo)
French President Jacques Chirac said today the stakes were high for the referendum he has called for May 29 on the European Constitution. The vote "will very deeply commit France and the French for decades," he said.
Recent polls have indicated hardening of opinion against the new treaty, though this is largely attributed to opposition to government reforms and other extraneous issues.
On a visit to Japan, Chirac emphasized "the paramount importance of France's voice and the weight that France can have" in the EU. "This is why I will tell French women and men that we must consider this issue with all seriousness," he told a press conference.
23/03/2005: SWEDISH GOVERNMENT "UNLIKELY TO BE SWAYED" ON REFERENDUM (Stockholm)
Despite a signature campaign demanding a referendum, the Swedish government was today reported to be unlikely to change allow direct consultation on the EU charter.
A petition with some 120,000 signatures was handed in yesterday. But Jens ORBACK, Minister for Democracy, said: "The government believes, together with the broad majority in parliament, that the changes are not so big that a referendum should be held to re-examine the referendum in 1994."
14/03/2005: PORTUGUESE REFERENDUM (Lisbon)
José SOCRATES, the Portuguese Prime Minister, announced in his inaugural speech (12 March) that the government proposed to hold the referendum on the European Constitution in October to coincide with local elections. If confirmed, this would need a constitutional reform, as the Portuguese constitution expressly excludes referendums on the same dates as local elections.
link to: Portuguese Constitution
07/03/2005: EUROPE DESERVE A "YES" - UMP LAUNCHES CAMPAIGN (Paris)
The governing French EPP party, the UMP, has launched a special web-site calling for a "yes" in the European Constitution referendum campaign.
The plebiscite takes place on May 29. The Ifop-JDD polling agency shows support dropping slightly to 58% support among those intending to vote, with 42% against. The poll was taken last week, involving 882 people contacted by telephone.
link to: http://www.u-m-p.org/site/actualite.php?IdActualite=498
04/03/2005: FRANCE - IT'S MAY 29 (Paris)
The office of French President Jacques CHIRAC announced today that the referendum on the European Constitution would be held on May 29.
Earlier this week a special session of the French parliament agreed to amend the France's own constitution to allow for the plebiscite.
01/03/2005: CHIRAC SAYS CONSTITUTION "A CHANCE FOR FRANCE AND FOR EUROPE" (Paris)
French President Jacques CHIRAC today formally announced the change in the French Constitution allowing for a national referendum on the European Constitution. Voting on this "great, founding text" was, he said, to support "a chance for France and for Europe."
Full text of communiqué (in French)
28/02/2005: DENMARK ANNOUNCES DATE FOR REFERENDUM (Copenhagen)
Denmark will hold a referendum on the new European Union constitution on September 27, 2005, Prime Minister Anders Fogh RASMUSSEN announced today after talks with pro-EU opposition parties.
"That will be after the local government reform and then there will be ample time to debate the new treaty," he told reporters. In December last year, all parties in the Danish parliament apart from the far-left Red-Green Alliance and the government's ally, the anti-immigrant Danish Peoples Party, agreed to support the constitution.
A recent poll showed that 49% of Danes back the constitution, while 26% oppose it.
28/02/2005: WAY OPEN FOR REFERENDUM IN FRANCE (Versailles)
The special session of the French Parliament today adopted the revision of the French Constitution needed in order to hold a referendum on the European Constitution. Voting was 730 deputies and senators for, 66 against, with 96 abstentions.
28/02/2005: CONSTITUTION "THE WAY AHEAD" - CHIRAC (Paris)
French President Jacques CHIRAC said in an interview with the Polish daily Gazeta Wyborcza that he was confident the European Constitution would be ratified. It was a step forward, he said: " I think, in the end, this reality will appear sufficiently clearly in the eyes of Europeans."
The French referendum on the new Treaty will be held either in May or June. France is one of nine EU states to hold a referendum.
Prime Minister Jean-Pierre RAFFARIN told deputies and senators meeting in a special joint session of parliament at Versailles to approve changes to France's own constitution allowing a referendum to be held: "A 'yes' to Europe is the right response to the challenges of the 21st century .Europe is neither Right nor Left, Europe is our future, it is our destiny."
Raffarin also argued that the new EU constitution guaranteed French voters the final say over which countries joined the EU. "Frenchmen and women," he said, "will decide the boundaries of the new Europe." he said.
28/02/2005: FRANCE LAUNCHES REFERENDUM CAMPAIGN (Paris)
Both house of the French parliament will today formally adopt the revisions of the French Constitution needed to hold a referendum on the European Constitution.
The campaign will be launched by President Jacques CHIRAC, who will at the same time announce the definitive date for the plebiscite, almost certainly May, possibly June.
28/02/2005: PAPASTAMKOS PUBLISHES BOOK ON CONSTITUTION (Athens)
The MEP and academic lawyer, Prof Georgios PAPASTAMKOS (EPP-ED, Greece), today announced publication (in Greek) of a short book "The European Constitution. Democracy, Transparency, Proximity to the Citizens", with a forward by EPP-ED Greek delegation leader Ioannis VARVITSIOTIS.
More information from the office of Georgios Papastamkos: tel. (322) 284 5448
23/02/2005: DUTCH SET DATE FOR REFERENDUM (The Hague)
The Dutch government announced today that it would its referendum on the European Constitution on June 1. It will be the first-ever referendum in Dutch history.
The question will be: "Are you for or against the Netherlands agreeing to the Treaty to establish a Constitution for Europe?"
As in Spain, the referendum will be consultative only, and final ratification will be by parliament. But all political parties have said they will respect the result - provided there is an adequate turnout.
22/02/2005: CZECH EPP-ED DEPUTY LAUNCHES WEBSITE ON CONSTITUTION (Brussels)
Czech MEP Jana HYBÁŠKOVÁ (EPP-ED) today launched an informative website on the Constitution (in Czech language). The latest poll shows 54% of Czechs are in favour of a referendum, while over 63% say they would turn out to vote.
21/02/2005: MONTI CALLS FOR THINKING ALOUD ABOUT CONSEQUENCES OF A "NO" (Brussels)
Former European Commissioner Mario MONTI has called for EU governments to publicly consider viable options should voters in one or more countries reject the European Constitution.
Internal Market Commissioner from 1995 to 1999, and then in charge of Competition policy till last year, Monti proposed to a seminar organised by the European Citizen Action Service (ECAS) that citizens who said "No" to the Constitution should then be asked in a second referendum whether they wished to remain part of the EU.
The former commissioner spoke in his role as the new ECAS Chairman at the launch of a citizens' guide to the European Constitution 50 Questions & Answers on the Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe.
Monti new ECAS chairman
50 Questions and Answers
21/02/2005: SPANISH VOTERS APPROVE CHARTER - BUT TURNOUT LOW (Madrid)
The first national referendum on the European Constitution delivered a resounding "yes"' of 77%. Three out of four voters - nearly 11m people - backed the new Treaty, with 17% against.
But, as many had feared, participation was low at just over 42%, the lowest in any European referendum since the Irish vote on the Nice Treaty, and the lowest poll in Spain since democracy was restored in 1978.
Mariano RAJOY, leader of the opposition EPP party, the Partido Popular, accused the Socialist government of rushing into a referendum without giving people enough time to understand a complex issue. During the campaign, opinion polls repeatedly showed only a small minority knew what the Constitution was about.
Spain's was the first of a series of referendums on the constitutional Treaty being held over the next 18 months; the Treaty must be ratified by all 25 EU member states to come into effect.
There had been hopes that an enthusiastic "Yes" in Spain would start a bandwagon rolling across Europe. But with such a low turnout, "the result will leave most Europeans indifferent," said Charles POWELL, a historian at Madrid's San Pablo-CEU university quoted in today's press.
The "No" camp was mainly limited to some regional nationalist parties, parts of the extreme Left represented in the European Parliament in the GUE Group, and the Greens (V-ALE). The biggest "No" vote, 33%, was registered in the three Basque provinces, at odds with Madrid over demands for more autonomy.
18/02/2005: GERMANY STARTS PARLIAMENTARY RATIFICATION (Berlin)
Germany has started the process of ratifying the new European Union Constitution - the Bundesrat (Upper House) today held a first debate on the ratification bill. The government has said it proposed to complete this by July this year.
Both the upper and lower houses of parliament must approve the Constitution by a two-thirds majority in the final readings because of transfers of national responsibilities to the EU, including cooperation on police and judicial affairs.
"What matters now is to implement courageously what has been agreed on', Erwin TEUFEL, Prime Minister of the Land of Baden- Wuerttemberg state, Erwin Teufel, told the Bundesrat. Teufel (CDU), represented the Bundesrat on the European Convention which drafted the Constitution.
18/02/2005: FRANCE PREPARES FOR VOTE - PROBABLY SOON (Paris)
The French National Assembly has passed changes to the national constitution allowing for a referendum on the European Constitution. The latest indications are that it will be in May.
The Senate approved the bill by 263 voted in favour, 27 against and 30 abstentions.
16/02/2005: MALTA TO VOTE ON EU CONSTITUTION IN JULY (Valletta)
Speaking to the press yesterday (15.02.05) the Maltese Prime Minister and leader of the Nationalist Party Lawrence GONZI said that the Maltese Parliament would debate the European Constitution and take a vote by mid-July.
The government had decided to postpone the debate to give more time to the opposition - the Maltese Labour Party - to analyse the Treaty and clarify its position, he said. He anted the two parties, traditionally on opposite sides of the fence on European affairs, to agree, he said.
As in other EU states, public knowledge of the actual contents of the Constitution in Malta is slight, according to the latest Eurobarometer poll: 60% of Maltese know little, and 28% have never heard of it. Only 31% say they are in favour ofn the new Treaty.
16/02/2005: BELGIAN REFERENDUM LESS AND LESS LIKELY (Brussels)
The Belgian national news agency Belga today reports that a referendum on the European Constitution has become even less probable following yesterday's rejection of the draft change in the national constitution to make this possible.
The agency says that, although a popular poll has not yet been formally rejected, for some weeks it has been clear there is no longer a majority for a referendum, which is opposed by the two EPP member parties, the CD&V and the cdH, as well as the main Socialist party.
16/02/2005: IRELAND - ACADEMIC WARNS ON DANGER OF HUGE UNDECIDED VOTE (Dublin)
One of Ireland's leading experts on opinion polling and elections, Prof Richard SINNOTT of University College Dublin, warned today that the huge number of voters saying they "don't know" or are undecided about the new European Constitution risk creating another Irish referendum debacle.
The figure stands at 67%, according to the latest Eurobarometer poll, of which the detailed findings are being published by the European Commission today. 28% of voters said they supported the draft treat, and 5% said they were against.
The level of explicit support is the fourth lowest in the EU, just above Sweden, Cyprus, and the UK.
Prof Sinnott told the broadcaster RTE that there was a danger of repeating the experience of the poll on the Nice Treaty, which he thought had been rejected " people did not really have a sense about what was going on."
Link to: http://www.rte.ie/news/2005/0216/eu.html
15/02/2005: POLAND - SOLID SUPPORT FOR CONSTITUTION (Warsaw)
An opinion poll by the respected Polish CBOS polling organisation shows support for the proposed European Constitution 68 %, 17% against, and 15% undecided. Possible dates for the referendum in Poland are autumn 2005 or spring 2006.
15/02/2005: RAJOY LEADS "CONSTITUTION AND SOLIDARITY" MEETING (Madrid/Brussels)
Spain's Partido Popular leader, Mariano RAJOY, is leading a "European Constitution and Solidarity" meeting organised by the Spanish delegation in the EPP-ED Group in Brussels this morning.
The meeting, only days ahead of the February 20 referendum on the Constitution in Spain is also being attended by Commission President José Manuel José Manuel Durão BARROSO, EPP-ED Group leader Hans-Gert POETTERING, and the EU Commissioner for Regional Affairs, Danuta HUBNER, as well as by PP presidents of autonomous regions.
11/02/2005: SPANISH REFERENDUM - IT LOOKS LIKE 'YES' (Madrid)
More than half Spanish voters - 51% - will vote 'yes', and just 5.7% 'no', in the referendum on the new European Union Constitution to be held February 20, according to a new poll.
The level of support s compares with 43% registered in December.
The Centre for Sociological Studies interviewed 2,500 people; it said the margin of errors was 2% either way.
Of those polled 46% said they would almost certainly vote, 22% said "probably". and 10% said they would abstain.
The poll confirmed previous findings that 90% of voters knew little or nothing of what was in the Constitution.
09/02/2005: ROBERT SCHUMAN PAPER ON RATIFICATION OF CONSTITUTION (Brussels)
The Robert Schuman Foundation has published a detailed academic paper (in French) by two Belgian political scientists on the process of ratification of the European Constitution.
Link to: http://www.robert-schuman.org/supplement/sup198.htm
07/02/2005: REFERENDUM IN FRANCE - "YES" VOTE STRONG BUT FRAGILE (Paris)
The latest poll by Louis Harris, published today, shows a fresh increase in support for the Constitution - 63% for, 37% against.
Ever since President Jacques CHIRAC announced in December 2004 that there would be a referendum "before the summer", support for the Constitution has stood at between 18 and 26 points.
Other polls support the Harris findings: Ipsos shows 59% in favour, 41% against (12.01.05); BVA: 63% for, 37% against (17.01.05); CSA: 65% for, 35% against (17.01.05).
But the Louis Harris agency warns that the "yes" majority is fragile. Almost a third of the 52.5% of voters who said they would vote also indicated they might change their minds before the referendum. Only 30% of those questioned said they were certain of their view, and thaty would caste their votes.
This level of indifference means that the referendum result could be strongly influenced by protest votes of one kind or another, including those worrying about a loss of French independence, or objecting to the Turkish application for EU membership, says the pollster.
07/02/2005: SPANISH REFERENDUM - A THIRD OF VOTERS STILL UNDECIDED (Madrid/Paris)
On February 20, Spain will be confronted with the question "Do you approve of the draft treaty establishing the Constitution for Europe?" A study for the Robert Schuman Foundation in Paris suggests strong support for the Constitution, but a large number of voters who are still undecided.
The latest public opinion poll carried out by the Centre of Sociological Investigations (CIS) and by the Elcano Institute, found 42% of voters intended to vote "yes", 9% "no", and about 15% said they would abstain or spoil their votes. More than a third of those questioned remained undecided (38%).
Three in four Spaniard said the Constitution constituted "an advance in the process of European integration" (75%) and that it "guarantees peace and prosperity in Europe" (67%).
Link to: Robert Schuman paper
02/02/2005: SLOVENIA IS THIRD EU STATE TO RATIFY TREATY (Ljubljana)
The Slovene National Assembly last night ratified the new European Constitution by 79 against four against, becoming the third country to ratify, after Lithuania and Hungary. Parliamentarians from six of the seven political parties voted in favour: the four against were from the opposition National Party (SNS).
"This is a reflection of the great pro-European unity in Slovenia, and people's solid belief in the future of Europe," said former Slovene Prime Minister Alojz PETERLE, who now leads the Slovene delegation in the EPP-ED. He also represented the future Member States on the presidium which drafted the Constitution.
Peterle said the result was "most encouraging" in the context of Slovenia's presidency of the EU in 2008: it will be the first of the 10 states which joined the Union last May to take on the EU presidency.
28/01/2005: MEPS ON TOUR TO EXPLAIN THE CONSTITUTION (Brussels)
The EP's Constitutional Affairs Committee (AFCO) has begun a tour of European capitals to spread the word about the European Constitution. In London on January 25 two members of the EPP-ED Group, Alexander STUBB (Finland) and György SCHOEPFLIN (Hungary) were among MEPs debating the key points of the new European Constitution in both Houses of Parliament.
They also discussed the Charter of Fundamental Rights, the role of the European Court of Justice, decision-making on financial questions, and the EP proposal to set up a rapid reaction unit against distortions and false information about the European Constitution.
AFCO will travel to the French National Assembly and the French Senate in Paris on March 16.
28/01/2005: EUROBAROMETER - VOTERS BASICALLY IN FAVOUR, BUT LACK INFORMATION (Brussels)
Over half Europe's citizens say they know little about the new European Constitution; another third say they have never heard of it. The new Eurobarometer opinion poll finds people broadly in favour, but in most countries a very large proportion of voters who have yet to make up their minds.
The Eurobarometer study was done between October 27 and November 29, 2004, and involved questioning nearly 25,000 people.
"The process of ratifying the Constitution will succeed only if condition governments and all the other actors involved mobilise themselves to provide citizens with information and ensure a really informed debate," commented European Commission Vice-President Margot WALLSTRÖM, in charge of communication strategy. "There is an obvious risk of a low rate of participation if referendum campaigns don't reach the people."
Main points of the poll, undertaken by TNS Opinion & Social/EOS Gallup Europe throughout the EU:
Link to: Eurobarometer
26/01/2005: UK UNVEILS THE BIG QUESTION (London)
The UK government today unveiled the much-anticipated text of the question it will pose in the referendum on the European Constitution. It is an unsurprising: "Should the United Kingdom approve the treaty establishing a constitution for the European Union?"
The bill incorporating the new Treaty into UK law, provided there is a "yes" vote, is being published later today. No date has been fixed for the poll, but it will certainly not be before a general election, expected by many observers to be in May.
26/01/2005: GREECE TO RATIFY IN NEXT FEW WEEKS (Athens)
The Greek Parliament is reported in today's issue of the daily To Vima to be planning a "solemn vote" on the European Constitution at the end of February or in the first week of March. Meanwhile both major parties, the EPP's Nea Dimokratia and the Socialist PASOK , are launching pro-European information campaigns.
Link to: Nea Dimokratea
25/01/2005: ITALY MOVES TOWARDS RATIFICATION (Rome)
The Italian Chamber of Deputies today approved the new European Constitution by a majority of 436 in favour, 28 against and five abstentions. Those who voted against were the divided wings of the Communist party, and also members of the Northern League. The vote will now pass to the Senate for the final adoption.
25/01/2005: DUTCH TO GO AHEAD WITH SPRING REFERENDUM (Amsterdam)
The Dutch Senate today voted in favour of holding a consultative referendum on the European Constitution. The Minister for European Affairs, Atzo NICOLAÏ said the most likely would be the last Wednesday of May or a Wednesday in June.
EU-wide polls have found 73% of Netherlands voters support the new Treaty.Nicolaï told the daily De Volkskrant he was worried its opponents may exploit the referendum to mobilise opposition to Turkey's bid to join the Union. The same fears are echoed in France. The European Council has agreed to begin membership talks with Turkey in October.
Link to: Speech (in Dutch) by Atzo Nicolaï
24/01/2005: BELGIAN GOVERNMENT ABANDONS REFERENDUM PLAN (Brussels)
The Belgian media today reported that Prime Minister Guy VERHOFSTADT had lost the support he needed to hold a referendum on the European Constitution. This followed a decision by his social-liberal coalition partner in government, the Flemish Spirit Party to drop its previous support for a referendum.
The party's chairman Geert LAMBERT told the daily Le Soir the party was worried the referendum would be hijacked by the rightist Vlaams Belang party, which is campaigning against Turkish membership of the EU.
20/01/2005: PARTIDO POPULAR OPENS WEB DEBATE AND SLAMS SOCIALIST INCOMPETENCE (Madrid)
The Partido Popular, the EPP member party in Spain, has launched a special website (http://www.pp.es/foros/) devoted to the European Constitution ahead of next month's referendum.
Called A Constitution for Europe, it sets out to answer a wide range of questions in an attempt make up for the delays and lack of coordination in the government's official campaign, which have contributed to the high level of ignorance repeatedly shown up in opinion polls.
José Antonio BERMÚDEZ DE CASTRO, Co-ordinator of the PP campaign - under the slogan "Yes to Europe" - says the success of the referendum depends on bringing the campaign closer to citizens.
He is planning to start open debates about the Constitution in the mass media, something he says the government has declined to do because of the divisions such a discussion would expose between the ruling Socialist Party and its parliamentary partners.
Bermúdez de Castro has been especially critical of the debacle provoked by the government's failure to consult with other political parties about the date of the referendum, and even more important about the contents of the official campaign.
The government is now faced with having to change all declarations, publications and references on official Internet pages to its chosen official slogan "The first with Europe" . This was judged to be lacking the required neutrality by the Central Electoral Court, appearing to promote a "yes" vote.
The Partido Popular is organising a rally with European leaders such as Angela MERKEL of Germany, Nicholas SARKOZY of France, and Hans-Gert POETTERING, EPP-ED Group leader to support the Constitution .
Bermúdez de Castro says the main achievements of the European Constitution come from the EPP family and that the text meets "all our principles and convictions". The campaign will also focus on the message that the European Constitution guarantees the future of Spain as a nation as it rejects nationalists adventures such the Ibarretxe Plan for Basque independence.
18/01/2005: MALTA TO RATIFY CONSTITUTION "BY SUMMER" (Prague)
Maltese President Edward FENECH ADAMI said today he expected the European Constitution to be ratified by the island's parliament by the middle of this year.
"There's an active debate in Malta on the constitution, but there's no doubt the parliament will ratify it in the first half of this year," he told a press conference after meeting his Czech counterpart Vaclav KLAUS in Prague.
13/01/2005: FRENCH SUPPORT FOR REFERENDUM RISING AGAIN (Paris)
According to a survey by the Ipsos agency for the French weekly Le Point, 59% of French voters would vote "yes" to the Constitution, two points higher than in December. The "no" vote stands at 41% in the survey, conducted on January 7 and 8; 897 representative voters were contacted by telephone.
On December 17/18 - prior to a New Year's Eve message by President Jacques CHIRAC in which he promised a referendum "before the summer" - the same polling agency found 57% for the Constitution and 43% against.
Of members of the EPP member party, the Union pour un Mouvement Populaire (UMP), 69% support the Constitution. Other mainstream parties are also strongly in favour: UDF 73%, Verts (Greens) 65%, PS (Socialists) 65%,. The only parties in which the "no" voters are in a majority are the Communist Party (PCF) and the extreme right (FN-MNR). Link to: UMP
12/01/2005: EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT GIVES "MAGICAL" MAJORITY TO CONSTITUTION (Strasbourg)
The European Parliament plenary session today approved the European Constitution by an overwhelming majority. Voting figures were: For: 500, Against: 137, Abstentions: 40 [677 of the total number of 732 MEPs voted].
12/01/2005: European Constitution - Íñigo Méndez de Vigo MEP 'delighted with the size of the positive vote'.
Inigo MENDEZ DE VIGO (PP - Spain) said he was "delighted with the size of the positive vote - a magical number of 500 MEPs voted in favour of the text".
"Europeans will understand that the adoption of the first European Constitution is an act of political renewal which closes the wounds on old disputes," said Mendez de Vigo.
The EPP-ED Group played a leading part in the European Convention which drafted the Constitution, and in yesterday's debate leading EPP MEPs, including Group leader Hans-Gert POETTERING, gave it a final blessing as just the democratic impulse the Union needed.
Luxembourg Presidency - Jean-Claude JUNCKER, Prime Minister of Luxembourg, current holder of the rotating EU presidency, was delighted with the broad parliamentary endorsement of the new EU Treaty.
"This is an important moment in the history of parliament," he told parliament, "and it's an important moment on the road to Europe." But he warned that with 10 national referendums - the first in Spain next month - "ratification will not be easy everywhere."
The Constitution is aimed at streamlining decision-making, creates a long-term president of the Council of EU leaders and a European foreign minister. It also enhances the powers of the European Parliament. The objections have come mainly from the nationalist Right, which claims it is another milestone on the road to a European "superstate", and the far Left, which denounces the Constitution as a charter for global capitalism.
10/01/2005: GREECE TO DEBATE EUROPEAN CONSTITUTION THIS WEEK (Athens)
The Hellenic Parliament will tomorrow (January 12) debate the ratification of the European Constitution, the Speaker, Prof. Anna PSAROUDA-BENAKI announced today.
If, as expected, Greece passes the Constitution, it will become the third of the EU 25 countries to do so - after Lithuania and Hungary, whose parliaments both ratified without a referendum in 2004. The debate in Athens is likely to be very brief. Both main parties in the 300-member parliament fully support the Constitution.
The country's pro-European stance was reinforced by the election in March 2004 of the EPP member party leader Costas KARAMANLIS, chairman of Nea Demokratia leader, as prime minister.
The first of a potential dozen or so referendums on the Constitution will be held in Spain next month, on February 20.
Hellenic Parliament
Nea Demokratia
Newsletter, Hellenic Centre for European Studies (Greek)
06/01/2005: SLOVENIA TO BE NEXT TO RATIFY EU CONSTITUTION (Ljubljana)
The new Slovene government today submitted a bill to parliament to ratify the European Constitution. Foreign Minister Dimitrij RUPEL told Slovene Radio he foresaw no major problems in getting it passed during the January parliamentary session. "The constitution is not 100%." Rupel said. "It was not written only by Slovenia It is not as we had imagined. But it is a constitution which enables the EU to function much more confidently and effectively than hitherto in the international environment."
21/12/2004: POLL - SPANISH VOTERS STILL UNDECIDED ON CONSTITUTION (Madrid)
An opinion poll in Spain suggests 58.8% of those questioned have yet to decide which way to vote in the February 20 referendum on the EU Constitution.
Among those who had made up their minds, 28.1% were in favour and 4.6% against. Most agreed that the Constitution would help the process of European integration.
The survey was conducted by the Spanish Instituto Opina for the daily El País and involved questioning 1,000 people.
Spain's referendum will be the first. and will be followed by at least eight other plebiscites. Lithuania and Hungary have already ratified the Constitution in parliament, without holding a referendum.
21/12/2004: HUNGARY RATIFIES NEW TREATY (Budapest)
The Hungarian Parliament yesterday (20/12/04) became the second EU Member State - after Lithuania - to ratify the new European Constitution, easily achieving the two-thirds majority needed. The vote was 304 'yes' votes to nine against, with eight abstentions; 64 members of parliament were absent. Latvia is expected to be next, and to ratify the Treaty in January. At least nine other countries are expected to hold a referendum, starting with Spain on February 20, 2005. All 25 EU states must approve the new Constitution, either by parliamentary vote or by referendum before it can come into effect.
10/12/2004: BIG MAJORITY OF EUROPEANS WANT A CONSTITUTION
The latest Eurobarometer survey, carried out from October 2 to November 8, showed 68% of EU in favour of European Constitution, 5 % more than at the beginning of 2004.
Some who said they were undecided six months ago have now joined the 'yes' camp. The authors of the report however insist that the results of the study show only that people favour the idea of a constitution, rather than giving a judgement on thetext to be proposed for eventual ratification by the Member States, "still less their voting intentions in a possible referendum."
Around eight out of 10 support the idea of the text in:
Belgium (81%)
Slovenia (80%)
Germany (79%)
Luxembourg (77%)
Italy is in sixth place in this table, with 73% in favour, ahead of Poland in 9th place (73%), Spain (at 10th with 72%, and France, 12th with 70%. The survey shows a fairly high proportion of people declining to take a position, notably in Portugal, which will be among the first to hold a referendum, in April 2005.
Least enthusiastic according to Euobarometer are:
Denmark (44%)
United Kingdom (49%)
Story on Eurobarometer
10/12/2004: FRENCH ASSEMBLY "SHOULD FORMULATE REFERENDUM QUESTION"
Alain LAMASSOURE MEP has welcomed the support of the Socialist Dominique STRAUSS-KAHN in his longstanding campaign to "de-personalise" the French referendum on the Constitution, and for the two French houses of parliament to initiate and formulate the question.
"The best way for the French people to make clear their views on the European issue is for the question to be elaborated by parliament rather than by the executive," Lamassoure (UMP), a former French Minister for Europe, said today.
A well-known constitutional expert, Lamassoure earlier this year published The Secret Story of the European Convention (Histoire secrète de la Convention Européenne - Collection Robert Schuman - Editions Albin Michel.). He is also co-chairman of the European Parliament Intergroup on the Constitution.
He said: "There is a procedure for this in the Vth Republic's Constitution. Using it should be something all the parties in parliament can agree on."
09/12/2004: REACTION À LA PROPOSITION DE DOMINIQUE STRAUSS-KAHN SUR LE REFERENDUM D'INITIATIVE PARLEMENTAIRE (Bruxelles)
French President Jacques CHIRAC confirmed yesterday that he and German Chancellor Gerhard SCHRÖDER will travel to Barcelona ahead of the February 20 referendum on the European Constitution in Spain.
The Spanish will be the first to put the Constitution to a popular vote. Chirac said Spain would be in the "first row" of European integration, and called on Spaniards to "show the way...with a massive 'yes'".
He would "engage without holding back" in the campaign, Chirac said, and urged Spaniards not to allow the referendum campaign to be "ruined by internal politics".
Opinion polls indicate consistent support in Spain both for the EU and for the Constitution.
09/12/2004: PRESIDENT CHIRAC PUSHES FOR SPANISH "YES" (Paris)
French President Jacques CHIRAC confirmed yesterday that he and German Chancellor Gerhard SCHRÖDER will travel to Barcelona ahead of the February 20 referendum on the European Constitution in Spain.
The Spanish will be the first to put the Constitution to a popular vote. Chirac said Spain would be in the "first row" of European integration, and called on Spaniards to "show the way...with a massive 'yes'".
He would "engage without holding back" in the campaign, Chirac said, and urged Spaniards not to allow the referendum campaign to be "ruined by internal politics".
Opinion polls indicate consistent support in Spain both for the EU and for the Constitution.
09/12/2004: SWEDISH PARTIES AGREE NOT TO HOLD REFERENDUM (Stockholm)
Leaders of the four right-wing opposition parties in the Swedish Parliament reached agreement with the government yesterday that parliamentary ratification of the new European Constitution parliament would be enough, and no referendum should be held.
Instead they will promote a broad public debate on how Swedes see the future of the EU.
Sweden's ratification process is expected to be completed in December 2005, well before the next Swedish elections, due in 2006 .
The two Left-wing parties in the Swedish parliament, along with the eurosceptic Junilistan party (with three seats in the EP), had demanded a referendum.
07/12/2004: LATVIA CONFIDENT OF 'YES' VOTE ON CONSTITUTION (Riga)
Foreign Minister Artis PABRIKS today announced plans to speed up parliamentary ratification of the new EU Constitution. It would be brought before parliament in a week, he said, and would probably pass by mid-January.
He was confident of success. "During January we will have every chance to gain approval," he told Reuters.
This would make Latvia the second EU country to ratify; neighbouring Lithuania ratified the Treaty in November. Latvia's new right-of-centre coalition government, which had initially intended to hold the vote between March and May 2005, is committed to a European course. It has signalled it proposes to join the euro by 2008.
02/12/2004: FRENCH LEFT'S "OUI" TO CONSTITUTION "GOOD NEWS FOR EUROPE"
Alain LAMASSOURE MEP, spokesman of the French UMP delegation in the EPP-ED Group today welcomed the clear "oui" from members of theFrench Socialists to the Constitution. The "yes" camp received over 55% of the vote.
This was "good news for the European cause and for democracy", said Lamassoure.
He welcomed the fact that even very committed Socialist party members refused to muddle up the European question with internal party-political matters. And it was good news too that ordinary citizens were able to understood the fundamental issues at stake inthe Treaty "while some of the nay-sayers exploited for all its worth what they took to be the ignorance and credulity of the general public when it comes to Europe."
The debate, he said, would now involve the whole country. "We can go into it with confidence," Lamassoure said.
Socialist Party members had been asked, in what was in effect an internal referendum, to reply "yes" or "no" to the question: "Do you agree with the European Constitution".
01/12/2004: MÉNDEZ DE VIGO WINS BIG SUPPORT FOR CONSTITUTION (Brussels)
The Constitutional Affairs Committee has given overwhelming backing to the draft Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe. It "wholeheartedly supports its ratification" ahead of a vote in the EP plenary in January. "The Constitution is, globally, a good compromise and a vast improvement on the existing treaties".
The committee's report, by Inigo MÉNDEZ DE VIGO (EPP-ED, ES) and Richard CORBETT (PES, UK), was adopted yesterday (30/11/04) by 20 votes to three, with two abstentions. Their report concludes that the new Constitution:
The report rejects some common criticisms as unfounded, including the euro-sceptic insistence that it is a blueprint for a "centralised superstate". On the contrary, it says, the Constitution will strengthen rather than weaken the Union's social dimension, and it does not ignore the historical and spiritual roots of Europe since it refers to its cultural, religious and humanist inheritance".
Méndez de Vigo yesterday replied to several of the concerns raised by colleagues on the committee. "Our child is not perfect, I know", he said, but he called for an end to further fussing about the text "No plan B, if you please".
30/11/2004: BELGIUM SEEKS "BIG CONVERSATION" ON CONSTITUTION (Namur)
The Prime Minister of (French-speaking) Wallonia, Jean-Claude VAN CAUWENBERGHE, today called for debates in the Wallonian parliament to include civil society, including universities, businesses, and individuals, before the EU Constitution was ratified. This was something which "in no circumstances" should be reduced to a simple formality, he said.
The Belgian Senate is already planning a similar initiative at federal level on December 6 - 10, an echo of the "big conversation" announced by French Foreign Minister Michel BARNIER.
23/11/2004: UK PREPARES WAY FOR REFERENDUM (London)
Today's Queen's Speech setting out the UK's political programme will include a bill paving the way for the referendum on the new European constitution, Downing Street announced.
The formulation of the referendum question is likely to go far beyond the Constitution. "It is time to resolve once and for all whether this country, Britain, wants to be at the centre and heart of European decision-making or not; time to decide whether our destiny lies as a leading partner and ally of Europe or on its margins," Prime Minister Tony BLAIR told the House of Commons.
While both opposition parties have welcomed the announcement of a referendum, there will be much debate on both the timing and the nature of the referendum.
The Queen's Speech will also announce draft plans to begin the process of creating the legal framework for holding a referendum on Britain joining the euro. This would only be held if the government decided that its five tests for joining the Single Currency had been met. The Chancellor, Gordon BROWN, announced earlier this year that the UK was not yet ready; the UK had not yet converged sufficiently with the eurozone, he said.
A vote on either the constitution or the euro before the next UK general election is thought increasingly unlikely. June 30, 2006, is the last possible date on which it could be held, but the government is free to call it at any time before that.
18/11/2004: SPAIN ON TRACK TO APPROVE TREATY (Madrid)
A survey by the Centro de Investigaciones Sociológicas (CIS) has found that only 4% of Spaniards would vote against the new EU Constitution, with 45% in favour, and almost a third undecided, when the referendum is held on February 20 next year.
But the survey also found that Spaniards felt ignorant about what it was all about. Three in 10 said their knowledge was "non-existent", 18.3 % said it was "very low" and 40.6% low. Just 1% said percent "low". Less than 1% said it was "very high".
(CIS interviewed 2495 people between 21-26 October, 2004.)
http://www.cis.es/
18/11/2004: FINNS "TO RATIFY BY END OF 2005" (Helsinki)
Finnish Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen said today that parliament would debate the new EU Treaty this autumn, and probably ratify in December. There would not be a referendum, he confirmed.
11/11/2004: LITHUANIA, THE FIRST TO SAY YES TO CONSTITUTION (Vilnius)
Lithuania today became the first EU country to ratify the European Constitution. The outgoing parliament voted 84 in favour, with just four against and three abstentions. The move was widely welcomed. The European Commission commented: "This is a very positive development indeed."
The other 24 EU Member States, and the European Parliament, have to approve the Treaty either by parliamentary vote or in some cases by referendum before the Constitution comes into effect: so far 11 states have definitely opted for a referendum. One of them is Luxembourg, which today announced its referendum would be held on July 10 next year, 10 days after the end of Luxembourg's EU presidency.
Adoption of the Constitution topped the agenda both at the EPP Summit of government and party leaders at Meise, near Brussels, last week (04/11/04) and at the third meeting of chairmen of EPP European and national parliamentary groups at the European Parliament in Brussels four days later.
The EPP political family is resolved to campaign together for a "yes" to the Constitution as a distinct issue, as well as to ensure as large a participation as possible.
The parliamentary leaders agreed to try to ensure the debate about the Constitution was "ring-fenced" as far as possible from domestic politics and from the controversy over Turkey's application to join the EU.
EPP-ED Group chairman Hans-Gert POETTERING attended the forming signing ceremony for the Treaty and Final Act establishing a Constitution for Europe on October 29. This took place at the Campidoglio, the palace where the original Treaty of Rome was signed in 1957. It was an historic moment, Poettering said. The President of the Council, Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter BALKENENDE, agreed: "This Constitution gives us greater capacity for making Europe more secure, more prosperous and more just. We must work together to make full use of this capacity."
Commission President-designate Jose Manuel BARROSO said, “The Constitution will enable us to create a more democratic Europe,” and called on the 25 EU members to ratify it without delay. “More than ever we are going to need the strength to work so that we can deal with the changes set to take place in the EU in the future.”
Turkey, Romania and Bulgaria signed along with the EU-25, despite not yet being EU members.
EU leaders hope that the Constitution and the process of ratifying will prove an opportunity for informing people about the Union.
