RATING
AND DEBATE
Decided
In
Cyprus there was no willingness of the politicians for a ratification
of the EU Constitution by a referendum. The argumentation was that
Cyprus did not have a referendum on joining the EU and in this sense
the country will not hold one on the Constitution.
On 19.05.2005 the Greek Cypriot party leaders decided that the Cyprus
parliament will vote on the Constitution on 30 June. Ratification
was considered a formality. However the senior government coalition
partner the communists argued against the Constitution in several
occasions. Nevertheless, the Constitution had almost a majority
in the 56-seat parliament.
On 29.06.2005 the treaty was tabled for discussion. After a two
day session the parliament approved the Constitution by a vote of
30-19, with one abstention on 30.06.2005. The vote came as no surprise
as all political parties, with the exception of the communist party,
had said they would endorse the charter in a vote of confidence
for closer European integration.
More
background information...
Eurobarometer
(2006), The Future of Europe - Results for Cyprus,
Special Eurobarometer 251, Fieldwork: 23/02 – 15/03 2006.
(PDF)
Eurobarometer
report, (February 2004): 80%
rather agree, 11% rather disagree*
*Are
you rather agree or rather disagree with the statement: The European
Union must adopt a Constitution.
Eurobarometer
report, (January 2005): 23% favourable, 10% opposed*
*Based
on what you know, would you say that you are in favour of or opposed
to the draft European Constitution?
Eurobarometer
report, (July 2005): 73% favourable, 12% opposed*
*Based
on the question, are you for or against a constitution for the European
Union?
Latest
News
30.06.2005
Cyprus ratifies EU constitution. EUbusiness.com
28.06.2005
Cyprus to press ahead with ratification of EU constitution. EUbusiness.com
19.05.2005
Cyprus parliament to vote on EU constitution on June 30. EUbusiness.com
19.04.2005
Cyprus parliament expected to vote on EU constitution by end of
May. EUbusiness.com |
