Duitse socialisten ijveren voor organisatie referendum Europese Grondwet (en)

The European Union's largest member state, Germany, may hold a referendum on the EU Constitution if plans by the ruling Social Democrat Party (SDP) are carried out.

The leader of the SPD Franz Müntefering announced on Sunday (29 August) that in October or November a new bill should be put before the German parliament that would enable both citizens' initiative referenda and referenda called by the government.

Referring to the EU Constitution, Mr Müntefering said, "If such a law is successfully passed in autumn, then it may be that a referendum would be possible for this event in Europe".

Until now, the German government has repeatedly said that it cannot have a referendum on the EU Constitution because the German Constitution does not allow for it.

"The German Constitution does not allow for a referendum. We will have a parliamentary process", said German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder in an interview last month.

"We want to ensure this happens before the end of the year", he continued.

However, Berlin has come under increasing pressure lately to change its Constitution and hold a referendum - particularly as the UK and France have both decided to put the issue to their citizens.

70 percent of Germans want a say

A poll published last month by Der Spiegel found that 70 percent of Germans want a say on the EU Constitution.

For historical reasons, the German constitution, adopted in 1949, does not allow for referenda in principle - as these were regarded by the authors of the text as contributing to the rise to power of the Nazis in the 1930s.

If the new law is passed, then Germany would join ten other countries who are definitely having a referendum.

The Constitution, which was agreed in June by EU leaders, can only come into force once all 25 member states have ratified the text.