The European Union's landmark first constitution could be put to a popular referendum in Italy, contrary to tradition on EU issues, Foreign Minister Mr Franco Frattini said yesterday.
In Italy, it only needs to be approved by both houses of parliament and that is how EU treaties have been dealt with in the past, but Mr Frattini said the public could be involved this time around.
"I think it would be appropriate to seek a popular mandate," he told the Corriere della Sera newspaper in an interview when asked if the constitution would be put to a referendum.
"We will talk about it within the government. We would do it towards November when there will be the issue of ratification."
Mr Frattini reiterated Italy's hope and expectation that the constitution will be ratified at a ceremony in Rome between October and November.
Italy has traditionally been relatively pro-Europe, unlike countries such as Britain where Prime Minister Tony Blair faces an uphill battle selling the constitution to his eurosceptic public.
Mr Frattini said it would "send the wrong message" to forge ahead with the constitution if the public in any country were to reject it. Pope John Paul is one who believes the proposed constitution is missing an important message. Yesterday he said Europe's Christian roots could not be forgotten, visibly upset at the constitution's failure to mention Christianity. Speaking in Polish to pilgrims gathered in St Peter's Square, the Pope thanked his native country for fighting to include a reference in the treaty agreed by leaders of the European Union's 25 nations late on Friday night.
"I thank Poland for its efforts in European institutions to loyally defend the Christian roots of our continent from which the culture and progress of our times grew," he said, departing from his prepared speech for the weekly Angelus address. "Our Christian roots cannot be forgotten," he added.
The official Vatican spokesman yesterday said the Holy See was disappointed that the opposition of some governments had prevented an explicit reference to Christian roots in the constitution.
"It shows a disregard for historical evidence and for the Christian identity of the European population," Joaquin Navarro-Valls said in a statement. - (Reuters)