No referendum on EU constitution

17 February 2005

BRUSSELS – Hopes of a Belgian referendum on the new EU constitution have been quashed by the constitutional committee of the parliament.

The committee rejected a request by the Liberals in the south and north of the country to hold a popular vote on the new text.

The Greens and far right party Vlaams Belang had also expressed support for a referendum.

Other major parties, including the Socialists and the Centre Right, were opposed over fears that the far right could capitalise on the vote.

A majority of the 150 politicians present in the parliament voted against holding the referendum.

The vote has effectively buried the proposal, even if the Liberals choose to put it before the entire parliament.

Subject: Belgian news