MEPs split over EU cash for treaty info

By Martin Banks

Date: 04/11/04

THE EU is to spend €9 million on promoting its constitution, which has to be ratified by all member states, by referendum or parliament vote, before it enters into force.

A total of €1.5m had originally been set aside from the EU budget for 2005 for such a campaign, but this was considered to be "unacceptably low" by MEPs.

Members of the European Parliament's budgets committee last week agreed that the sum should be increased - a decision ratified at the Parliamentary plenary in Strasbourg on 28 October.

The €9m will be spent over the next two years providing information about the constitution, in particular through 'info points'.

But the decision to increase the amount being spent was attacked by MEP Jonathan Evans, leader of the UK Conservatives in Parliament. "The EU should not be interfering in the democratic processes of member states," he said. "Providing EU funds that could influence a referendum campaign in these countries is completely wrong."

Another MEP said: "There is a real danger that this money will be used to help influence the outcome of a vote in member states. That would be a blatant misuse of public funds."

UK MEP Graham Watson, leader of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe, defended the decision. "There is a widespread lack of knowledge about the constitution and if the public are to be better informed about this treaty we need to give them information about it," he said. "Informed public opinion does not come without cost implications."

So far, nine countries have announced they will hold referenda on the constitution, with Spain organizing the first vote on 20 February 2005.

The European Union plans to spend €9 million on promoting the Constitutional Treaty, which has to be ratified by all Member States, by referendum or parliament vote, before it enters into force. The money is to be spent over two years providing information about the Constitution, in particular through 'info points'.