Eurosceptic MEPs attempt to thwart treaty

EUROSCEPTIC MEPs will next week step up their opposition to the proposed European constitution by forming a new Parliamentary intergroup.

Up to 100 deputies from several political groups are expected to join the 'Referendum Group', which will be launched in Strasbourg on Tuesday (26 October).

One of its founders, the Danish MEP Jens-Peter Bonde, who is joint leader of the Eurosceptic Independence and Democracy group, said: “The group will bring together MEPs from all parties who oppose the constitution. We've had pledges of support from across the political spectrum and expect at least 100 to join.

“As it stands, the [constitutional] treaty is undemocratic and we will be campaigning against it in all member states.”

The constitution agreed by 25 EU leaders in June must win approval in each member state, by vote in parliament or public referendum, in order to enter into force.

EU heads of state will officially sign the constitution on 29 October in Rome. The European Parliament is likely to be the first assembly to ratify the constitution in a vote on 15 December. Nine countries have already announced that they will hold referenda (Spain, the UK, Ireland, Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, the Czech Republic and France) and others may do so.

Article reports about the plans of up to 100 Eurosceptic MEPs from several political groups to launch a new Parliamentary intergroup, the 'Referendum Group' in Strasbourg on 26 October 2004. The group wants to express its opposition to the proposed European constitution.