http://europe.tiscali.co.uk/index.js...content=270177
Quote:
On Thursday Lithuania became the first EU member state to ratify the new European Constitution with an 84-member majority in the Lithuanian parliament, the Seimas.
The Treaty for a European Constitution, to give its official title, was signed in Rome on 29 October complete with the pomp and ceremony befitting the occasion. The Constitution is due to enter INTO phpbb_force in 2007 once it has been ratified by all 25 EU member states.
While Lithuania has led the way in record time - perhaps a disappointment for Italy's Silvio Berlusconi who claimed at the signing ceremony his country would be the first - many obstacles and potential pitfalls lie ahead on the EU's constitutional path. At least nine countries - the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, and the UK are putting the Constitution to the people in referenda, the outcome of which is by no means assured. If any country returns a 'no' vote, it is back to the drawing board for Europe's political leaders.
|
I imagine that Denmark, the Netherlands and the UK will be the places that the Constitution will struggle the most.
France could be surprisingly close as well. They have been losing their grip on the EU recently.
It is interesting that 16 nations don't consider this such an important issue that they need to hold a referendum.
Quote:
|
Most, however, do not see the Constitution as a threat to Lithuanian political and cultural independence and are keen to be considered an integral member of the European family.
|
Ha! wait a few years and see how you feel about it then.