Referendums since 2000
Eighteen referendums
The Danes (2000) and the Swedes (2003) voted against the introduction of the Euro, and a second Swiss (2000, 2001) initiative to begin negotiations with the EU failed.
Ireland initially rejected the Nice treaty (2001), but voted to ratify it in a second referendum (2002). As in the case of Denmark's rejection of Maastricht in 1992, some aspects of the treaty were renegotiated.
The results of the Irish referendums and the fraught atmosphere of the summit in Nice clearly demonstrated a need for reform in the EU, and the Laeken declaration was drawn up in answer to this need. Laeken paved the way for the proposed EU Constitution, suggesting that efficiency and accountability had to be improved. However, critics doubt that these objectives are really being addressed.
All of the ten new EU member-states held a referendum on the accession: Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, Hungary and Malta (all in 2003).
Two referendums were held in Cyprus (2003), but attempts to unify the Greek and Turkish parts of the island failed when Greek Cypriots blocked an agreement. Cyprus is has become an EU member state, although the Turkish territory remained excluded.
Romania (2003) took an important step in preparation for accession to the EU when it amended its constitution. The amendment was approved by a large majority in a referendum, but the reported circumstances in which the referendum was conducted raised doubts about the nature of democracy in Romania. (report)
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