Greece Backs new EU constitution

[achilles]

Parliament in Greece has overwhelmingly ratified the European Union's first constitution at a special session. The document was backed by 268 votes in the 300-member strong parliament. Only 17 lawmakers voted against while another 15 decided to abstain.

The vote makes Greece the sixth country to back the constitution.

The text, signed by EU leaders in Rome last year, must be backed by all 25 member states - either by public referendum or parliamentary vote.

So far, only Spain has backed the constitution with a referendum.

Now Greek MPs have joined colleagues in Italy and three new EU members - Lithuania, Hungary and Slovenia - in backing the text of the first ever blueprint for running the EU.

Both Greece's governing conservatives and the main opposition Socialist party voted in favour of the constitution.

The vote comes ahead of a crucial 29 May referendum on the issue in France - one of the founding states of the EU.

A string of opinion polls there have continued to cause concern for the government in Paris by showing that a majority favour rejecting the constitution.

Correspondents say that that is a reaction to the record of Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin. link (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/4460567.stm)

[Clearday-TRForce]

Right but what s the France? and Netherlands? and what d u think about EU future while some countries dont approve that const.?

[BigBaribal]

Are there some polls about what the Greek people is thinking about this matter?

Because the parlementary way for such big decisions is not really democratic.

[sp2c]

Right but what s the France? and Netherlands? and what d u think about EU future while some countries dont approve that const.?

what?

[achilles]

Are there some polls about what the Greek people is thinking about this matter?

Because the parlementary way for such big decisions is not really democratic.

This is from 2003:


Moreover, of those Greeks......who took part in the poll, over 80% were in favour of a Constitution for Europe. link (http://www.assembly-weu.org/en/documents/sessions_ordinaires/rpt/2004/1876.html#P107_24494)

Therer has been falling support for the constitution, but 'yes' exceeds 'no' by far:
http://www.europarl.eu.int/inddem/pics/grafici/cost_greece.jpg

Greeks became more sceptical about it. We did not actually move to 'no' straight away.

In any case, i would prefer a referendum like most Greeks. But now its a done deal.

[BigBaribal]

Are there some polls about what the Greek people is thinking about this matter?

Because the parlementary way for such big decisions is not really democratic.

This is from 2003:


Moreover, of those Greeks......who took part in the poll, over 80% were in favour of a Constitution for Europe. link (http://www.assembly-weu.org/en/documents/sessions_ordinaires/rpt/2004/1876.html#P107_24494)

Therer has been falling support for the constitution, but 'yes' exceeds 'no' by far:
http://www.europarl.eu.int/inddem/pics/grafici/cost_greece.jpg

Greeks became more sceptical about it. We did not actually move to 'no' straight away.

In any case, i would prefer a referendum like most Greeks. But now its a done deal.

Thanks for the infos :)