Overview
Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt had intended to call for a referendum on the European Constitution. This should take place within 50 days of the official signing of the text in Rome. However, he lost influence due to the bad outcome of his party in the European and regional elections. Parties in his coalition are against a referendum. Thus it will not take place.
The general consensus in Belgium, which is the home of most of the EU institutions, is very favourable to the Constitution. A Eurobarometer poll in May 2004 suggests 72% are for it, with 12% against.
Belgium's lower house of Parliament on 19 May ratified the European Union's draft constitution by a large majority.
The Chamber of Deputies gave its 'blessing' to the constitution by a vote of 118 in favour and 18 against, with one abstention.
Only members of the right-wing Vlaams Blok party voted against the constitution, already ratified by the Belgian Senate in April.
Rallying support for the Constitution before the vote, Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt warned that failure to ratify would both "weaken" and "paralyse" Europe.
In accordance with Belgian law, the draft document now goes to the country's five regional parliaments for ratification. Verhofstadt expressed hope that the assemblies would proceed with ratifying the text quickly.
|
