Citizens must have a say on treaty, says Convention petition

Date: 12/06/03

By Martin Banks

CITIZENS must be given the chance to have a say on Europe's proposed constitution on the same day as the elections to the European Parliament in June 2004.

That is the message from almost half of the members of the Convention on Europe's future, which is set to adopt a draft constitution tomorrow (13 June).

French MEP Alain Lamassoure, a leading Convention member, said: "It is vital that European people are given the opportunity to have a say on such an important matter.

"As it directly concerns EU citizens, they have a right to ratify it before the constitution comes into force.

"These referenda should take place in accordance with the constitutional provisions of member states."

A petition signed by 94 Convention members calls on those member states whose constitutions do not permit referenda - for instance Germany - to at least hold "consultative" polls.

The petition is backed by Convention Vice-President Giuliano Amato, and other big-hitters, such as Italian Deputy Prime Minister Gianfranco Fini, and MEP Iñigo Méndez de Vigo, a member of the forum's inner circle, the praesidium.

So far, only two member states - Denmark and Ireland - have hinted they will hold a referendum on the constitution, although Spain, Portugal and France may do the same.

In the UK, Tony Blair's government is under pressure to hold a poll. Eurosceptic campaigners say the constitution would fundamentally change the way the EU works and have an impact on the country's sovereignty. But the government says the document should be approved by the national parliament.