Luxemburgs referendum over EU-grondwet op 10 juli 2005 (en)

EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS - Luxembourg will hold a referendum on the European Constitution on 10 July, 2005, it emerged on Wednesday (10 November).

The Luxembourgish government announced the date after a meeting with Parliament heads in Luxembourg, according to a news release.

Luxembourg is the third country to announce a definite date, after Spain (20 February 2005) and Portugal (10 April 2005).

The Netherlands is expected to hold a vote early next year and speculation is rife that France may also plump for an early referendum - possibly in May 2005, although this is unconfirmed.

Poland's referendum is pencilled in for Autumn 2005 and Ireland may hold its vote in late 2005/early 2006.

The date of the UK's referendum is still uncertain, although it is almost certain to come after elections and the UK Presidency in the second half of 2005. The Czech Republic is also uncertain, but will probably hold a vote in June 2006.

Denmark and Belgium are also committed to holding a vote on the issue but have not yet announced a date.

The Constitution has to be passed by referendum or by parliamentary ratification by all 25 member states before it can come into force.