Spoedig Deens referendum over Grondwet minder waarschijnlijk (en)

Internal battles in opposition parties makes an early referendum on the Constitution less likely, according to Danish experts and politicians.

Following the successful re-election of Denmark's centre-right government in last week's general elections, the opposition is now in no state to fight a battle on the European Constitution, experts say.

And the general opinion is that in a historically eurosceptic Denmark, the full support of the opposition parties will be needed to acheive a yes vote.

The leaders of both the Social Democrat party and the Socialist People's Party stepped down right after the elections prompting fierce battles over who should succeed them.

"There is too much noise on the line at the moment. To secure a safe yes to the constitution, I believe the decision must be pushed as far as possible into 2006", said Liberal MP Jens Kirk, the head of the European Committee in the Danish Parliament, according to Kristeligt Dagblad.

The leader of the opposition Social Democrat party Mogens Lykketoft admitted defeat right after the election results - the party's worst result in decades.

Two candidates are battling for the leadership - Frank Jensen and Helle Thorning-Schmidt. The latter is a former MEP and the daughter in law of former UK commissioner Neil Kinnock.

While Mr Jensen is seen as a traditional Social Democrat, Mrs Thorning-Schmidt is pushing for sweeping reforms of the old Labour party.

Surveys have suggested a very close race. If neither candidate acheives three quarters of the votes during a party congress on 12 March, an internal poll will be held.

If Mrs Thorning-Schmidt should win the leadership and then the next election, Denmark would have its first female prime minister.

The leader of the smaller Socialist People's Party, Holger K. Nielsen, also decided to step down, following a bad election result for his party last week.

The Socialist People's Party recently adopted a pro-EU stand in a close race between party members.