MEPs Call for Synchronizing Referendums
September 4, 2004Members of the European Parliament's Constitutional Affairs Committee have suggested coordinating the ratification timetable for the European Constitution. The committee chairman, German Socialist MEP Jo Leinen, proposed that next year, a "European week" be designated for the purpose. Adopted in June by the 25 EU leaders and to be signed on October 29 in Rome, the European Constitution must be ratified by each of the member states. A referendum is foreseen in ten countries, although only one country -- Spain -- has actually set a concrete date for next February. A minority of MEPs in the committee, who oppose the Constitution, called for equal funding of the referendum campaigns for the 'yes' and the 'no' sides, a proposal that was rejected. (EUobserver.com)