Brussels, 25/06/2004 (Agence Europe) - The Netherlands, which will take over the six-monthly Presidency of the EU on 1 July, could decide to hold a referendum on the Constitution before the end of this year, announced a government spokesperson. "We could have a referendum this year (...). If there is one, it will not be binding. It will be an advisory referendum. We are confident the public will say 'yes'". The Dutch Parliament must adopt a proposal in September for a referendum by the end of the year or early next year. The Netherlands could become the first country to hold a referendum, whereas others (United Kingdom, Denmark, Ireland, Luxembourg, Spain, Portugal plus, possibly, Belgium, the Czech Republic and Poland) also intend to put the Constitution to the popular vote.
In Portugal, a referendum on the Constitution is desirable, but must be preceded by a "broad national debate", said the Portuguese President, Jorge Sampaio, on Thursday. "The Treaty which has just been approved is the occasion for a popular consultation", Mr Sampaio told the press. "A referendum of this kind and with all that goes with it should be preceded by a broad national debate", he added. Further to a meeting with the Head of State, Prime Minister José Manuel Durao Barroso announced on Wednesday that he was to start proceedings to organise a referendum for 2005 on the contents of the new Constitution. After the summer recess, Mr Barroso intends to propose January 2005 to the Parliament, as a possible date for a referendum. This date met with the approval of President Sampaio.
In Slovakia, President Ivan Gasparovic said that his country would ratify the Constitution by a simple parliamentary vote, rather than by popular referendum. "I have nothing against a referendum, but I feel that in this case, it would not fulfil its purpose", Mr Gasparovic told the press. However, the issue is not yet closed, as the main partner in the Slovak coalition government, the Christian Democrats (KDH), has announced that it will push for a referendum.