WRITTEN QUESTION E-1554/97 by Klaus Lukas (NI) to the Commission (6 May 1997)

Subject: Petition for a referendum on the Euro

In a recent newspaper interview (Der Kurier, 22 March 1997) the Head of the Commission's Representation in Vienna, Dr Wolfgang Streitenberger, said that Austria would make itself an international laughing-stock and lose credibility if there were a petition for a referendum on the Euro incorporating a proposed bill.

1. Does this statement reflect the Commission's view?

2. If so, will the Commission explain why Austria would make itself an international laughing-stock and lose credibility if there were a petition for a referendum on the Euro?

3. Did this official act on instructions from the Commission?

4. If so, who issued them?

5. Does the Commission basically regard all grass-roots democratic initiatives as laughable and lacking in credibility, or only those which do not suit it politically? If not, will the Commission correct this public statement of position, which appeared in its name, in an appropriate manner?

6. What is the Commission's view of the wish, which has been voiced in many quarters, to see the introduction of the Euro made subject to a Europe-wide, grass-roots democratic decision?

7. Can the Commission envisage greater grass-roots involvement for European citizens in decision-making processes at European level? If not, why not? If so, in which cases could grass-roots democratic decision-making be envisaged?

Answer given by Mr de Silguy on behalf of the Commission (11 July 1997)

1. Mr Streitenberger's explanations concerning the legal possibility of a 'Volksbegehren' (referendum) on the introduction of the Euro reflect the position of the Commission. His evaluation of the possible effects of a 'Volksbegehren' reflects his private opinion. In fact, he started his speech in Mayerhofen by saying that all elements other than facts in his speech - opinions, judgments, evaluations - are his private views. The Commission has not dealt with the possible effects of a referendum in Austria and has not made speculations on any effects of it.

2. The introduction of the Euro is a constituent part of the EC Treaty. Parliaments of all Member States have ratified the Treaty according to their constitutional law, either directly or, as far as the new Member States are concerned, through the accession treaties. By ratifying the treaties, by referendum or through their representatives, the people have agreed to what governments had concluded and signed before.

3. and 4. Heads of the representations of the Commission are authorized to give public statements without prior clearance from the Commission. In addition, Mr Streitenberger made clear to the audience that his evaluations are his private ones.

5. What matters to the Commission is that the provisions of the EC Treaty, once ratified by Member States according to their national rules, are applied. The Treaty does not foresee instruments of direct democracy on particular provisions or policies to be implemented.

6. and 7. The Commission does not take any position towards domestic political procedures such as plebiscites or public referenda. This is left to Member States.