Finse minister: referendum over Grondwet wellicht in 2006 (en)

If Finland is to decide on the new EU constitution by referendum, then the poll could be held together with the next Finnish presidential elections in 2006, the Finnish minister of Justice Johannes Koskinen has suggested.

Holding a referendum together with another election would reduce the costs from some 12 million euro to just a few thousand euro, the minister said.

Mr Koskinen also opted for Finland to introduce binding referenda. At present the legislation only allows for advisory polls.

As well as Finland there are ten other EU member states intending to hold polls: Denmark, France, Ireland, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Spain, Portugal and the UK.