By Bruno Waterfield - 24th November 2003
The European Commission will take the lead in an information campaign aimed at winning uninterested EU citizens over to a European constitution.
Brussels has urged Europe to hold referendums and national parliament votes to ratify a new Treaty of Rome on the same day in a bid to shake apathy among EU citizens.
The period between January and June 2004 has been identified as “very sensitive” as a planned EU constitution emerges and the European Parliament holds elections.
The most recent official EU polling has found that Europeans are becoming less not more aware of constitution proposals.
Eurobarometer findings for September 22 to October 3 revealed a steep decline – seven points down to 38 per cent - in numbers who have “already heard” of the draft constitutional treaty.
With ignorance or apathy running at over two thirds of EU citizens the commission admits that “such a general lack of information could jeopardise acceptance of the constitution”.
Speaking on Monday commissioner for institutional reform Michel Barnier revealed that Brussels was drawing up a blueprint to re-engage Europe’s voters.
“We are going to make clear to the public what is the content and the point of the new constitution,” he told MEPs.
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