Brussels, 17/09/2008 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 17 September, Jean-Claude Juncker acknowledged that “I don't think the treaty will be in place in June 2009” for the European elections. Speaking at a conference organised by the European Policy Centre, the Luxembourg prime minister and minister for finance said that entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty before this date would require ratification in all member states by the end of February. A scenario that is neither feasible nor desirable in the current context (the European Commission thinks this too - EUROPE 9741). Juncker (who has just had his office as president of the Eurogroup extended) explained that the economic crisis, lack of confidence and unpopularity of the governments makes ratification through referenda a very delicate matter. While Ireland is constitutionally bound to submit the treaty text to a referendum, he said that now would not be the right time to do so. According to Mr Juncker: “If I were the Irish prime minister, I wouldn't go for a referendum in the next months”. This would be “dangerous”. He believes that the most probable date is 2010 and declared that “the treaty will enter into force around 1 January 2010” but it is not possible before. (A.B./transl.rh)