Referenda on EU constitution

Tony Blair's promise to hold a referendum may result in a new wave of referenda on the EU constitution across Europe. Previously, only Denmark and Ireland held referenda in order to ratify new EU treaties.

This time it is different. It is not merely a new treaty but one that will override the national constitutions of all the member states.

When and if the treaty enters into force, the EU will establish itself as a state-like set-up with a common president, a foreign minister (with a foreign ministry) and a federal government in Brussels.

Nine countries have so far announced their intention to hold referenda.

Luxembourg, Holland, Spain and Portugal opted for referenda on the same day as the EU election, June 13. That is no longer a possibility; the constitution is not expected to be ready until three days after the EU election.

In Ireland and Denmark, the constitution must first be scrutinised in the respective national parliaments because referenda are constitutionally demanded in these countries. Poland and the Czech Republic will also hold referenda. In the latter, because the constitution will not be supported by two-thirds of the parliament. In Poland, because the Nice Treaty's voting rules will be changed. If this happens, all parties have promised referendum.

After Mr Blair's recent promise, nine out of 25 countries will hold referenda on the constitution and the issue is eagerly discussed in other countries.

My political group in the EU parliament is participating in a joint European campaign calling for referenda to be held in all member states. We are in favour of having the referenda on the same day across Europe so that the dates cannot be manipulated.

The campaign has its own website at http://www.EU04.com.

This site allows everyone, by simply adding their signature to the list, to endorse the request for referenda on the EU constitution to be held in all member states.

Mr Bonde is a member of the European parliament, president for the EDD Group and the SOS Democracy intergroup.