MEPs to take first EU constitution vote

MEPs will vote on an EU constitution this year – taking the lead as Europe braces for a series of make-or-break referendums in 2005.

The European Parliament is expected to back the new treaty and euro-friendly MEPs hope their endorsement will galvanise EU voters who demonstrate little enthusiasm for Europe.

UK Socialist MEP Richard Corbett will be guiding the EU constitution through parliament over the next months ahead of a December 15 vote.

“Members of the European Parliament will debate the new constitution, and vote on it, by the end of the year. The process starts today with detailed examination in committee,” he said on Wednsday.

“This will be the first vote on the new constitution by any elected parliament in Europe."

"We will put the issue under the spotlight of democratic scrutiny and set the tone for future debates across the whole EU.”

Corbett is hoping that MEPs will “kick-start a similar debate across the continent”.

“We are committed to a debate which is as informed and inclusive as possible, so we will be working hard to communicate the facts about the proposed new constitution to citizens and governments,” he said.

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