Ruime meerderheid voor EU-grondwet tekent zich af in Deens parlement (en)

EUOBSERVER / COPENHAGEN - A clear majority of Danish Socialist People's Party's members (63.8 per cent) have approved the EU Constitution in an internal referendum.

The result of the internal poll published today (21 December) showed that only one third (36.2) of the party members were opposed to the Constitution. About two-thirds of the eligible 7.464 party members voted.

The party has often been the swing party in tight Danish EU referenda and its position could influence the outcome of the national referendum on the Constitution.

The result also demonstrates a shift in party opinion, since the party was opposed to EU membership in 1972, as well as the Maastricht Treaty and the euro. Over the past few years, the party has moved towards a more pro-European profile and towards a position in government.

"I am very happy with the clear outcome of the vote", said party chairman Holger K. Nielsen.

"Members have approved the pro-EU political line, which I have advocated", he said according to the Ritzau news agency after the result was made public.

Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen also welcomed the result and expressed hopes for a better debate ahead of the Danish referendum on the Constitution.

The Danish June movement - a eurosceptic party which runs in European elections and opposes the Constitution - said it deplored the decision of SF.

"SF has given up and ditched earlier criticism of the EU project", said Hanne Dahl, spokesman of the movement, pointing out that the Constitution would tie the EU to a liberal economical policy.

Elections expected soon

A very broad majority of political parties in the Danish parliament will be backing the EU deal.

Only three political parties in the Danish Parliament are opposed to the Constitution, the right-wing Danish People's Party, the Christian Democratic Party and the left-wing Red-Green Alliance. Those three parties hold a mere 30 seats of the total 179 in the Danish Parliament, Folketinget.

No date has yet been set for the Danish referendum to take place, but Denmark is expected to be one of the last countries to vote.

More attention, however, is currently focussed on the possibility of a national election, which could be held at any time.