Juncker: "Luxemburgs 'ja' kan EU-grondwet nieuw leven inblazen" (en)

A Yes to the EU constitution in Luxembourg could yet revive the treaty, despite the blow it has received from both the French and Dutch citizens, said the country's prime minister.

Jean-Claude Juncker told the BBC over the weekend that Luxembourg was small but influential, given its status as one of the founding countries of the European Community.

It has also featured as a traditional supporter of Europe's integration, with a stable popular backing of the EU, so its vote on 10 July will be watched closely in Brussels and other capitals across the continent.

"If this country will say no then according to my colleagues in the European Commission this would clearly mean the treaty would be dead", said Mr Juncker, adding "But if Luxembourg says yes then it could be the signal that the process is still alive".

Shortly after the EU summit in mid-June which put the ratification of the constitution on hold, Luxembourg authorities decided to hold a vote anyway.

Mr Juncker announced he would resign if the document was rejected by his co-citizens. All the main parliamentary parties also back the treaty, and they gave their go-ahead to the document in its first reading in the parliament.

The second reading is set to respect the opinion of the public as expressed in the referendum.

Recent polls show the yes camp is still leading in Luxembourg, with a population of 465,000, but the opponents have improved their position significantly, after the double rejection by France and the Netherlands.

According to the last polls, conducted before the pre-referendum one month ban, the figures put the No camp at 45 percent.

Meanwhile, European politicians are showing a growing interest in the Luxembourg vote, with prominent campaigners attending public meetings on both sides.

On Saturday, French socialist and no-campaigner Henri Emmanuelli was the guest star in a public meeting where French anti-globalist José Bové also spoke, according to Wort.

Daniel Cohn-Bendit, leader of the Greens in the European Parliament has announced he will contribute to the yes-camp.

Eleven countries have so far ratified the constitution, and only one by popular vote with all the others passed through national parliaments.

The EU charter can only come into force if all 25 member states ratify it.