Home > The Maastricht Treaty > Ratification Stage

After signing the TUE on 7 February 1992 in Maastricht three crisis braked the pro-Europe impulse brought about so far: Firstly, Europe went through a serious and deep economic crisis that caused governments and public opinion to focus on economic problems, setting aside the European construction. Secondly, there were serious monetary tensions that challenged the European Monetary System and the objective of a future economic and monetary union (EMU) and thirdly, the EU appeared unable to implement a common foreign and security policy in the crisis of Yugoslavia. Due to this the Ratification of the Treaty of Maastricht was also fraught with difficulties in various states. Three countries held referenda on the ratification of the treaty of Maastricht: France, Ireland and Denmark. The treaty entered into force on 1 November 1993.

Denmark

1992: Treaty of Maastricht (No 52 % - Yes 48 % - Turnout 83 %)
1993: Treaty of Maastricht - including Danish Opt-Outs e.g. Euro (Yes 57 % - No 43 % - Turnout 86 %)
more information about the ratification process in Denmark

France

The referendum was held on 20 September 1992. The treaty was ratified with 51.05% in favour and a turnout of 69.69%.

Germany

Although the Bundestag, the German Parliament, had approved the Treaty of Maastricht in December 1992 with a majority of 543 out of 562, and the Bundesrat, the representative body for the Länder, had voted unanimously in favour of ratification, the position of the Constitutional Court was not really clear. The Maastricht decision of the Federal Constitutional Court opens the way for Germany's membership in the European Union.
more information about the ratification process in Germany

Ireland

The referendum of was held on 18 June 1992, ( 68.7% yes, turnout was 57.31%).

United Kingdom

The lower house approved the Treaty in their third reading on 20 May 1993 with 292 votes in favor and 112 against. In the upper house the Treaty was approved by 141 votes in favor and 29 against on 20 July 1993.
more information about the ratification process in the United Kingdom