Milan, 17/09/2014 (Agence Europe) - In the home straight towards the referendum on Scottish independence, the leader of the Socialist group in the European Parliament has urged a No vote, as polls show the two sides are neck and neck in this historic contest for Europe on Thursday 18 September.
Gianni Pittella (S&D, Italy) said on Wednesday 17 September that leaving the United Kingdom would not be a wise step to take. He also brandished the threat that EU accession would not be automatic for an independent Scotland and could take years as several countries might be loath to grant their approval when unanimity among member states is required. This is a position that appears to be supported by the Christian Democrats in the European Parliament.
The Greens, on the other hand, are calling for Scotland swiftly to join the EU if its people vote for independence. While the group does not favour one outcome over the other, it stresses that the European institutions should recognise the outcome of the democratic process in Scotland. A spokesperson for the Greens stated, too, that, in the event of win for the Yes campaign, the opposing parties should continue to adopt a constructive attitude: “If the political will is there, which it has to be, the constitutional and legal solutions will be ensured” in what would be a completely unprecedented scenario, he told EUROPE.
A few hours before voting begins, the various opinion polls still say it is too close to call, and the undecided, reckoned to be somewhere between 6% and 14% of the electorate, could make all the difference. Views on the consequences of a Yes vote for Europe are avidly sought but the European Commission continues to exercise its duty not to comment. Commission spokesperson Pia Ahrenkilde confirmed that the situation was being followed closely and that the Commission would respond “appropriately” when the outcome is known. No extraordinary meeting of European commissioners has been planned. (MD)