Slovakia: Illegal Ratification?

The Slovakian Parliament has approved the EU Constitution on May 11, 2005. Now the president has declared his will to sign the treaty. This would finally complete the ratification - and could be illegal. The constitutional court of Slovakia has asked for a break until a major decision is made.

According to the Slovakian constitution Slovakia can enter a conferderation of states only by a referendum. A group of conservative politicians has submitted an action to hold such a vote. Now the constitutional court has to decide whether the Slovaks will decide directly on the EU Constitution.

Two major consequences would follow in case of a referendum:

a) The signature of the president would be illegal and the ratification by Slovakia invalid. This has never happened in the history of the European integration.

b) The EU would be officially acknowledged as an confederation of state. This might have major consequences on other countries and the integration process itself.

The court has announced to finish the detailed analyses still in 2005.