MEPs back EU treaty

MEPs have voted overwhelmingly in favour of the EU's first constitution, but the treaty needs ratification by all member states before coming into force.

In a symbolic vote on Wednesday, the European Parliament backed the text with 500 in favour, 137 against and 40 abstentions.

Addressing MEPs after the result, EU parliament chief Josep Borrell welcomed the outcome: "The result of the vote leaves no room for doubt about the support that this European Parliament has expressed for the constitution".

Luxembourg prime minister and holder of the EU presidency Jean-Claude Juncker said endorsement of the treaty was "an important step on the path of a unified Europe".

"It is an important step...towards the ratification of this constitution, ratification of which I would like to invite national parliaments and people to support".

The EU treaty is a blueprint for an enlarged Europe and increases the scope of decision making at the EU level, including a doubling of the European parliament's say.

The institutional treaty also creates two top EU jobs; president of the EU council and a European 'foreign minister'.

But opponents claim that the EU constitution is pro-free market, pro-globalisation and a setback for ‘social Europe’.

The text must be ratified unanimously by all 25 member states by autumn 2006 - either by a parliamentary vote or national referendum.

Two governments that opted for parliamentary ratification have already held the necessary votes in their national parliaments.

Lithuanian MPs voted in favour in November 2004, followed by Hungary in a vote at the end of December where parliamentarians overwhelmingly backed the constitution.

So far ten member states are planning to hold referendums.

First up is Spain - On February 20, Madrid is expected to approve the treaty in a referendum, followed by Luxembourg on July 10.

More difficult polls lie ahead in France and the Netherlands, expected during the first half of 2005, Britain and Denmark in early 2006, and Poland and the Czech Republic where so far no date has been set.

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