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It's all Danish to me

edit David Janes 2005-06-14 11:32 UTC 5 comments  ·

The French and the Dutch recently had referenda on adopting the EU constitution. In both countries the “no” side posted decisive victories. Now Denmark is reconsidering having a referendum at all. My first though was that they’ll just ratify the EU in parliament to get the answer they want. But after reading the BBC article, well, I have no idea what they’re planning:

“We want clarity that it is this treaty, nothing more or less, on which we will vote on 27 September, and if there is no clarity on that, because various processes are started which in principle could change it, then you cannot hold a vote.”

If you can make sense of that, leave a note in the comments.

Comment #1Matt

2005-06-14 12:39:05
I think the translation is, "We're not going to look like idiots (waste our time, whatever) voting on a dead letter." I don't get the impression that the minister is proposing bypassing "the people".

But then again, I'm barely literate.

Comment #2little tobacco

2005-06-14 13:02:48
It is designed to circumvent the people... there will be no vote unless we are sure that only the constitution is being voted on... an impossible standard. Will it be brought to Parliamnet? That is not clear. But that they will at least wait for better electoral conditions and deny the no-side's voice is as clear as a bell... silly little people do not know what is good for them.

Comment #3David

2005-06-14 13:15:35
We'll have to the reaction from the eurocrats -- if they're as pissed as they are at Britain, it's probably because there not planning to do anything.

Maybe there's a move afoot to rewrite it slightly and force a revote in France and the Netherlands.

Comment #4David

2005-06-14 13:31:23

Comment #5The Owner's Manual

2005-06-14 17:49:51
I think it's for the same reason some countries are afraid of there being a freeze put on the ratification process. There is concern that the constitution is going to be tinkered with before the process is complete. Longer the freeze, the more likely there is to be tinkering. The Danish may want to be sure that what is presented for their irrevocable ratification is what is actually going to be delivered.