Referendum delay for Portugal

Portugals referendum on the European Constitution may be delayed because of a possible 20 February general election.

President Jorge Sampaio has already dissolved parliament - last month - after losing confidence in the centre-right government of Prime Minister Pedro Santana Lopes.

However, the Portuguese Constitution forbids the scheduling of any referendum "between the date of calling for, and the realisation of, general elections".

Portugal was meant to vote on the Constitution in March or April. It is now likely that this will be the end of April, making Spain the first country to hold a referendum on the Constitution (20 February).

Source: EU Observer