Finnish Social Democrats Against Referendum

The Finnish Social Democratic Party (SDP) has announced it is not in favor of a referendum on the European Constitution, which makes it very unlikely that the Nordic country will follow the ten other member states which have already decided to hold a referendum. The SDP, however, is calling for a public debate on the constitution before the Finnish Parliament votes on it. Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen, who previously ruled out the need for a referendum, has invited representatives of the Finnish parliamentary parties to discuss the European Constitution and the way it will be processed in Finland. The meeting will be held Sept.3. Ten countries - Denmark, France, Ireland, Luxembourg, Belgium, The Netherlands, the Czech Republic, Spain, Portugal and the UK - have already said they will hold a referendum. (EUobserver.com)