Strasbourg, 10/03/2004 (Agence Europe) - Five MEPs of different groups and States last week launched an initiative in Strasbourg so that the European Parliament symbolically adopts the Constitution early May. The vote may be held at the sitting in Strasbourg from 3 to 6 May, which will welcome the entry into function of the Commissioners of the new Member States.
Thierry Cornillet for the EPP, Jo Leinen for the Socialists, Monica Frassoni for the Greens/EFA, Diana Wallis for the Liberals and Mariotto Segni for UEN presented a "written declaration" for signature by MEPs. The declaration calls on the Council to "report to the European Parliament at its session from 3 to 6 May on the state of progress of discussions on the constitutional treaty". Failing an agreement, the EP would vote on the "draft constitutional treaty as drafted by the Convention".
This approach would have symbolic import, those initiating the draft say. They thus hope to put pressure on Member States to reach an agreement. "This would create a real political problem in governments" who would have to explain to the public "why they are not following the movement", Thierry Cornillet says. (See EUROPE of 20 February, p.4).