Press Release: MEPs say ‘Yes’ to Constitution amid heated debate over language rights and ‘national minorities’

A large majority of MEPs voted in favour for the Constitutional Treaty for Europe in the European Parliament, 12 January 2005, (500 votes in favour,137 votes against, 40 abstentions) saying that it 'wholeheartedly supports its ratification'. However, MEPs from many parties and nationalities, had contrary views over the extent of the protection of minority languages and national minorities within the Constitution in the event of ratification.