Current status concerning EU Constitution:
• Ratification of the EU Constitution completed on 25 May 2005.
• EU Presidency: Jan-Jun 2006
• Austrian President Heinz Fischer has proposed an EU-wide referendum on the EU Constitution.
UPDATES
• 22 June 2006:“We might change the name, I would not insist on the name constitution,” said Chancellor Wolfgang Schussel on behalf of the Austrian EU Presidency. “It may be that one adds an appendix, or an interpretation of the existing chapters, but the substance must remain unchanged." (Direction Générale de l'Information, European Parliament, Brussels)
• 16 June 2006: "We are moving away from the rhetoric" to concentrate on the "delivery of concrete results," Chancellor Wolfgang Schussel said on behalf of the outgoing Austrian EU Presidency, adding after the EU Summit (15-16 June in Brussels) that it would likely be “good to preserve a good number of elements of the Constitution.” (Direction Générale de l'Information, European Parliament, Brussels)
• May 2006: According to the Eurobarometer:
- 31% think their country's EU membership is "a good thing" (second lowest)
- 17% chose "a common constitution" when asked to choose two from six options concerning what "would be most helpful for the Future of Europe"
- 22% chose "a common constitution" when asked to choose two from six options concerning what "would strengthen your feelings about being a European citizen."
• April 2006: Austrian Foreign Minister Ursula Plassnik said of the EU Constitution: "This issue cannot be settled satisfactorily and conclusively for all 25 member states at the present time." (During Austria's EU Presidency term ending June 2006)