Geen referendum over Europese Grondwet in Estland (en)

The Estonian government has decided not to have a referendum on the European Constitution.

The final decision on ratifying the treaty will be taken by the parliament.

The agreement came after the Estonian Foreign Minister, Kristina Ojuland, gave yesterday (2 September) an overview of the Constitution to her fellow ministers.

The foreign ministry then announced that parliamentary ratification is sufficient to allow the Constitution to come into force.

The majority of MPs are against holding a referendum in Estonia, although the biggest opposition party the Centre Party has indicated that they might support holding a vote.

Ten countries - Denmark, France, Ireland, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Spain, Portugal and the UK - have already said they will hold a referendum.

The situation is still undecided in several member states.

Germany

Meanwhile, in Germany, the ruling Social Democrats' plans to propose legislation enabling referenda has sparked much debate in the country.

German media report that they have run into opposition from the centre-right Christian Democratic Union and its Bavarian sister party the Christian Social Union.