Should be by binding Referendum

Latest News:Poland is to delay indefinitely a referendum on the European constitution scheduled for October but still intends to hold one, its president has said. Aeksander Kwasniewski said the original date was not realistic but emphasised the need for a referendum.

Prime Minister Marek Belka made a contradictory statement saying that the parliament should quickly ratify the troubled European Union constitution, in the clearest sign yet the ruling left may drop plans for a referendum.

Beforehand, the Polish government intended to hold a referendum this year. Belka had declared, that it should be hold either together with the elections of the president on October 9 or together with other important election. in order to achieve the necessary participation of 50%.

No official decision taken so far by the Sejm on the ratification procedure. All political parties are in favour of holding a referendum. Agreement on ratification can be reached by way of a referendum based on a Sejm resolution or by a decision of the Parliament. The two-chamber Parliament (the Sejm and the Senat) must approve, with a legislative act, the ratification by the President of an important treaty.

Polish government is proposing to hold the referendum in tandem with the Presidential elections on September 25, 2005 o secure the vote is valid: The turnout must be at least fifty per cent of the population. Otherwise the result is not valid.

Parties opposing the constitution have recently demanded, that the referendum should be held in 2006.

Read more facts on the ratification.