Spain, Portugal plan referendums

The Spanish prime minister is strongly pro-European

Spain and Portugal have announced that they will hold referendums on the new European Union constitution.

The new constitution agreed by 25 EU leaders last week must win approval in each member state either by a vote in parliament or by public referendum.

In statements on Wednesday, the Spanish and Portuguese prime ministers said the issue would go to a referendum.

However, a Greek minister rejected calls for a referendum saying a vote in parliament was "no less democratic."

The constitution sets out the powers of the national governments of the member states and the EU's various institutions as well as a charter of fundamental rights.

I have always said a referendum should be held if two conditions are in place... Those two conditions have been met Jose Manuel Durao Barroso, Portuguese Prime Minister

It also details how the union will conduct a wide range of internal and foreign policies, especially since the EU grew to 25 members when 10 new countries joined on 1 May.

Conservative Portuguese Prime Minister Jose Manuel Durao Barroso told TSF radio that the referendum should be held at the start of 2005 "given that there are local elections in the autumn of next year".

"I have always said a referendum should be held if two conditions are in place: firstly, if there is a new constitutional treaty, and secondly if that treaty brings truly new and relevant matters for the future relationship between Portugal and Europe," he told reporters.

"Those two conditions have been met."

EU popularity

Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero told the Madrid parliament: "My intention, as we set out in the election manifesto... is to hold a referendum so that all Spanish citizens can express themselves about the new text of the constitution."

"I hope this referendum takes place as quickly as possible and that Spain will be among the first EU countries to ratify the constitution."

The BBC's Katya Adler says the pro-European prime minister reflects popular opinion as many Spaniards are happy that Spain is part of the EU.

Greece's Secretary of State for European Affairs Iannis Valynakis told Athens Flash radio Greece would not hold a referendum.

"Around half the member states of the EU will ratify the constitution in their parliaments, which is also our tradition here in Greece," he said.

Most other EU countries have yet to decide. Among the other states likely to go to a referendum are the UK, Denmark, Ireland and Luxembourg.