The European Constitution

15/07/2005: SLOVAK COURT HALTS RATIFICATION (Bratislava)
The Slovak Constitutional Court has issued a preliminary measure banning President Ivan GAŠPAROVIČ from signing the European Constitutional Treaty, overwhelmingly approved by parliament earlier this year.
The court accepted a complaint by the M. R. Štefánik Conservative Institute, which argued that there should first be a referendum on the issue, the daily SME reports. The institute claims that by approving the treaty Slovakia has agreed to join another state formation, which would require a referendum.
The court's verdict is expected later this year.

11/07/2005: Hans-Gert Poettering congratulates Juncker on his success in Luxembourg referendum
"The strong support for the European Constitution by the citizens of Luxembourg in their referendum will steer the debate about the future of Europe in a positive direction, the chairman of the EPP-ED Group, Hans-Gert POETTERING, said today.
The whole ratification process would have a new dynamic as a result, said Poettering, who expected that the clear result in the Luxembourg referendum would have a positive influence on the ten Member States which had yet to decide on the Constitution. So far the majority of the 25 have agreed to it.
The vote was also a personal success for Jean-Claude JUNCKER, Poettering said. The Luxembourg Prime Minister had been able to convince his people of Europe's need for the Constitution thanks to his own clear position on Europe, and his engagement as President of the European Council in the first half of 2005.

10/07/2005: LUXEMBOURG SAYS YES (Luxembourg)
Luxembourg yesterday threw a lifeline to the European Constitution, voting in favour of the Treaty rejected by France and the Netherlands.
The figures were: 56.5% for and 43.5% against the Constitution.
Luxembourg is the 13th EU state to ratify, though only the second by popular referendum.
"This is a very important vote for Luxembourg," said Prime Minister Jean-Claude JUNCKER. "The message that has emerged from our vote is that the constitution is not dead." "The result means the constitutional treaty will remain on the European agenda," Juncker said. "It will have an influence on the various debates and arguments that will be heard in other Member States."

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