Austria’s ratification - a more than silent Yes

Le Taurillon, magazine eurocitoyen

"Austria’s ratification - a more than silent Yes

Thursday 13 April 2006 - Peter Strempel

On 25th of May the upper chamber of the Austrian Parliament, the so called “Bundesrat”, ratified the EU Constitutional Treaty with 59 out of 62 representatives in favour. This step followed the preceding ratification in the lower chamber, the “Nationalrat”, on 11th of May with only one member against.

Austria as a strong supporter of the EU Constitution? Austrians in favour of deeper integration of the European Union? A laugh and a half for every Europhile observer of our country in the “heart of Europe”. According to latest Eurobarometer polls, Austrians are, after the Brits (of course), the most Euro-sceptic Nation among all Member states. And a survey conducted by the “Austrian Society for European Policy” (ÖGfE) showed that 46% of Austrians did not consider a European Constitution as ‘necessary’, against 35% who did. Another clear indicator of the overall resentment of Austrians against meddling, by the European Union, of what is perceived as Austrian usage and sovereignty."