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Danish PM Postpones EU Constitution Referendum


17 June 2005 (RFE/RL) -- Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen says his country will not have a referendum on the European Union constitution on 27 September as planned.

Rasmussen's statement late Thursday came shortly after EU leaders announced an agreement to extend the deadline for ratification of the document beyond the previously set date of November 2006. Luxembourg's Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker -- whose country holds the rotating EU presidency -- said a "period of reflection" is necessary after the constitution's recent rejection by French and Dutch voters.

The document must be ratified by all 25 EU members to come into force. Juncker said it is up to his country's parliament to decide if a vote should go ahead as scheduled in Luxembourg on 10 July.

Czech Prime Minister Jiri Paroubek said he will recommend delaying his country's referendum to late 2006 or early 2007.

(Reuters/AFP/AP/dpa)
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