March 2005

France

March 31: Chirac to enter EU Constitution debate - With the number of French citizens saying they plan to vote against the EU Constitution on the rise, President Jacques Chirac has decided to personally enter the fray to campaign for a yes vote. Read more...

France

March 31: A French vote against the constitution could revitalise the European economy - but first French voters have to exercise their democratic rights and throw the constitution out. Read more...

France

March 30: Frantic scramble to revive the 'Yes' vote - The latest opinion poll confirmed that the “no” campaign was gathering momentum, with 54 per cent of decided voters ready to vote against. Read more...

France

March 29: French 'non' in the lead ahead of EU Constitution referendum - A new poll published in Tuesday's Le Figaro confirms an increase in those planning to vote against the EU Constitution. Read more...

France

March 29: EU 'No' vote gains ground in France - Opposition to the new European Constitution is gaining ground in France ahead of the country's May 29 referendum. Read more...

France

March 23: Chirac 'can't imagine' a French no to Constitution - French President Jacques Chirac has said he cannot imagine that France will reject the European Constitution in its referendum at the end of May. Read more...

Comment

March 23: The EU Constitution brings bad times for democracy - Read Thomas Rupp's (ENC Director) article in the newropeans-magazine. Read more...

Sweden

March 23: 120,000 Swedes sign call for referendum - Over 120,000 Swedes have signed a petition calling for a referendum on the European Constitution. It was handed to the government on Tuesday. Read more...

Brussels

March 22: EU Chief blames French elite for treaty problems - The president of the European Commission launched a scathing attack on the ruling classes in France for allowing public opinion there to turn against the draft European constitution.. Read more...

France

March 21: Second poll indicates turn towards 'no' vote in France - A second poll has shown a majority of French voters are against the European Constitution. Read more...

France

March 18: 'No' to constitution likely - A poll has found for the first time that a majority of the French are likely to vote against the European constitution in the referendum in May. Read more...

Brussels

March 16: MEPs agree 8 million for EU Constitution campaign - The European Parliament will put aside eight million euro from its budget to cover an information campaign on the EU Constitution. Read more...

France

March 15: Chirac climbs down on pay claims to help win EU 'Yes' vote - President Jacques Chirac has performed a humiliating climbdown in his government's battle with the unions amidst fear that social unrest could derail his campaign for a "Yes" vote. Read more...

France

March 14: Chirac tries to buy off the ‘non’ vote - In the hope of avoiding more labour unrest before a crucial referendum on the European constitution in May, President Jacques Chirac has adopted the standard French reflex: he has reached for the chequebook. Read more...

France

March 14: French vote on EU threatens to tear apart Socialist party - The main French opposition party, the Socialists, risks being torn apart by France's referendum on the EU constitution. Read more...

Portugal

March 14: Portugual to vote on EU Constitution in December - The new Portuguese prime minister has said he would like a referendum on the EU Constitution to be held at the same time as local elections in December. Read more...

Portugal

March 11: Portugal sets 2006 as year for EU constitution referendum - Portugal's incoming Socialist government said Thursday it would go ahead with promised referendum on the new EU constitution. Read more...

Greece

March 11: Bad poll news for Greek government - Greeks are far from happy with the conservative government, just over a year after its election, according to a new poll published yesterday. Read more...

France

March 10: Chirac faces constitutional crisis - France's referendum on the EU constitution could make or break political careers as well as the constitution itself. Read more...

Czech Republic

March 10: Gloomy prospects for Czech referendum on EU Constitution - The Czech cabinet has adopted a law paving the way for a referendum on the EU Constitution, while the eurosceptic opposition has tabled its own version of the bill. Read more...

France

March 9: Former French leader plugs EU constitution - Valery Giscard d'Estaing on Tuesday night lobbied on behalf of the European constitution. Read more...

Germany

March 8: Germany to ratify EU Constitution on 12 May - According to the German press, officials say that they want to help build momentum towards a positive result in the French referendum which will follow just days after. Read more...

Poland

March 7: Poland sets the date - President Aleksander Kwa[niewski announced on Friday that Poland will hold a referendum on the European Union constitution on September 25. Read more...

France

March 7: Turks in France take part in EU Constitution debates - Ruling French party delegates respond to a poll on Turkey’s EU bid and the European Constitution. Read more...

Czech Republic

March 4: MEPs in polemics with President Klaus's "ten commandments" - The "ten commandments" of Vaclav Klaus has drawn disagreeing reactions from representatives of all European Parliament main streams. Read more...

Austria

March 4: Austria: Referendum denied - Austrian Parliament voted against a referendum on the EU Constitution. Read more...

France

March 4: France sets date for the referendum - French President Jacques Chirac set May 29 for a referendum on the European Union constitution. Read more...

Brussels

March 3: 'Concrete actions' could sink the constitution - Every Eurosceptic's nightmare came true yesterday when Brussels drew up 10 "concrete actions" to educate the EU's 450 million citizens on the wonders of the new European constitution. Read more...

Britain

March 3: Unofficial plan B - Officially there is no plan B if Britain rejects the European Constitution in its referendum next year, but unofficially other capitals are already sketching out solutions.. Read more...

Austria

March 2: Austrian parliament to vote on EU constitution in May - The treaty must receive a two-thirds majority in both houses to be ratified, though observers said they expected Austrian lawmakers to give it the required backing. Read more...

France

March 2: Zapatero in France to plead for Europe - Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Rodriguez Zapatero has spoken out in favour of a "strong Europe" and a "social Europe" during a debate in French parliament. Read more...

France

March 1: France amends constitution to allow EU treaty - Chirac and Jean-Pierre Raffarin used a solemn parliamentary session and a Franco-Polish summit to open a campaign on the treaty. Read more...