Europe, Headlines

POLITICS-EU: Decision over Constitution Now Down to People

Stefania Bianchi

BRUSSELS, Jan 13 2005 (IPS) - The European Parliament voted in favour of a new constitution Wednesday, but the most difficult part of selling the controversial document is still to come.

European leaders now face the task of convincing voters that the text that will determine the future of the European Union (EU) and its 25 member states is good for them.

EU leaders signed the constitution in 2004, but the real debate on the document will start this year.

The constitution, which aims to streamline EU decision-making, faces passionate opposition in many member states where voters are either sceptical about ceding power to Brussels, or unhappy with the terms of the deal.

Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) approved the treaty Wednesday by 500 votes to 137 with 40 abstentions. This meant that 74 percent of MEPs voted in favour of the paper – a result that parliament president Josep Borrell said “far exceeded” expectations.

“The result of the vote makes it very clear,” said Borrell. “I think that the extent of the support is very important.”

While most MEPs supported the new constitution which gives more power to the Parliament, it is left to European citizens to decide whether the text will be adopted.

National differences in the voting highlight the tough political fight that lies ahead in at least three countries – Britain, Poland and the Czech Republic. These are among ten that will hold referendums on the constitution.

Opposition was strongest among Czech MEPs, with two-thirds voting against the constitution.. The text was rejected by 40 of the 70 British MEPs who voted.

This raises concern that voters in these countries may follow suit and vote against the new treaty. Should this happen the EU would face a serious political crisis. The constitution needs the endorsement of all 25 member states before it can come into force.

Referendums in member states will start early this year. The remaining countries will ratify the text by a parliamentary vote. Lithuania and Hungary have already done so.

In Britain, antipathy towards Brussels and a lack of interest in its activities is likely to make a pro-constitution campaign difficult.

Polish communist and other far-left MEPs oppose the promotion of capitalism in the constitution, while nationalists and far-right parties are concerned about a dilution of traditional values and ceding control to Brussels. The constitution is “godless and devoid of any of the Christian principles on which Europe has been constructed,” Polish MEP Maciej Marian Giertych said.

In Germany the main point of contention so far has been whether it can hold a referendum at all. Such polls, once abused by the Nazis to consolidate power, are banned under the German constitution, but this could be changed by a two-thirds parliamentary majority.

In Belgium and the Netherlands a referendum would not be binding because the constitution does not recognise them.

Spaniards will be the first to go to the polls Feb. 20. A favourable outcome is expected here because all major political parties will campaign in favour of a ‘yes’ vote. The main challenge before the government is to overcome indifference.

MEPs in favour of the constitution want the European vote to set an example.

“The vote sends two clear messages,” said leader of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats (ALDE) Graham Watson. “A strong signal to Europe’s citizens that their democratically elected representatives have given their overwhelming support to…the text of the constitution signed by heads of state last June, and an equally strong signal to fellow parliamentarians and political commentators that European Liberals and Democrats mean business and will defend a common vision of a Europe united and strong.”

Margot Wallström, vice-president of the European Commission and commissioner for communication and institutional relations, who has the job of selling the constitution to European citizens, sought support from European leaders.

“The ratification process is now entering its decisive phase,” she said. “Governments, national parliaments and EU institutions should do their utmost to ensure an informed debate on the constitution. The ratification of the constitution is an opportunity to debate about what kind of Europe we want.”

But the critics are preparing themselves too. Nigel Farage, parliamentary leader of the UK Independence Party (UKIP), said he hoped the parliamentary vote would remain insignificant to “real” EU citizens.

“While we may be outnumbered here, we are confident that when we go out and meet real people, who pay taxes and have a real job, we will not be outnumbered,” he said. “What these referendums will do is show the gap between the ordinary people and the political class.”