#1 No Danish vote on Lisbon Treaty
Posted: Wed Dec 12, 2007 4:46 am
BBC
I guess since they can't get the European people to agree to the changes, they're just going to bypass them altogether.
I honestly have to say I think the Danish government is making a mistake here, but then it's the same mistake every other government has made so far.The Danish Prime Minister, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, has decided against a referendum on the EU Reform Treaty, leaving it for ratification by MPs.
He told reporters that the treaty was good for Denmark.
The announcement will be seen as a vote of confidence in the document, coming two days before it is due to be signed by EU member states in Lisbon.
So far, only the Irish government has said it will hold a referendum on the treaty, at some stage next year.
Sovereignty intact
Denmark had been due to hold a vote on the European Constitution in 2005, but the planned referendum was scrapped after the No votes in France and the Netherlands.
When no sovereignty is relinquished, parliament will ratify the text
Anders Fogh Rasmussen,
Danish Prime Minister
Last week, an investigation by the Danish justice ministry concluded that the new treaty would not lead to any loss of national sovereignty.
Its findings reduced pressure on the government for a vote to take place.
The prime minister told reporters: "When sovereignty is relinquished, a referendum is needed. When no sovereignty is relinquished, parliament will ratify the text."
Mr Rasmussen - whose centre-right coalition was voted back into office last month - has already announced a fresh referendum on whether Denmark should adopt the euro.
Danish voters rejected the euro in 2000.
The new vote, during the life of the current parliament, will also consider whether to end Denmark's EU opt-outs in defence, justice and home affairs.
I guess since they can't get the European people to agree to the changes, they're just going to bypass them altogether.