09/01/2008 (Agence Europe) - In a press release published on Wednesday 9 January, Jo Leinen MEP welcomed the Portuguese government's decision not to ratify the Lisbon Treaty by referendum. The German Socialist said that this decision, which was announced the same day by Portuguese Prime Minister José Socrates, is worthy of appreciation and respect. Leinen said that there was no legal obligation to hold a referendum in Portugal but if one had been held, it would have increased political pressure on countries like the United Kingdom to hold one too. In the future, political debate on a “Community method” for revising and ratifying European treaties will be necessary (the parliamentary committee for constitutional affairs, which he chairs, will debate the question in 2008), he added. (A.B.)