Xinhua - Czech gov't proposes referendum to ratify EU constitution

XinhuaCzech gov't proposes referendum to ratify EU constitution

The Czech ruling coalition on Saturday proposed that the country should ratify the European Union (EU) constitution through referendum instead of parliamentary approval. The coalition does not have majority in either house of parliament. Prime Minister Jiri Paroubek told reporters after talks with his coalition partners that the earliest possible date for a referendum would be June 2006, when parliamentary elections are held. However, he said, a later date would be more realistic.