MR John Hume remained opposed to any election in Northern Ireland before negotiations, despite support in Dublin for a compromise formula.
The SDLP leader said his position had been made clear and had not changed. No specific proposals had been put to his party by the British prime minister.
The election process would not work, he said, because the SDLP would not take part.
Mr Hume's proposal for two referendums, to be held North and South, is expected to be supported by the Socialists, the largest group in the European Parliament.
Today the European Council will make a statement to the parliament on the peace process and the bombing. While MEPs will be allowed to ask questions only, they should still be able to express their views and Mr Hume could expect widespread support. The parliament is due to support the continued payment of the EU" peace package of £240 million over three years.
Mr Hume said he and his party were proposing that the people be allowed to speak. "After the experience of the last 17 months can anyone doubt the mass will of the people, North and South, for lasting peace and for no violence on the streets?
"We cannot doubt the will for that to be translated into lasting peace and stability, with all parties coming to the table as soon as possible," be said.
He called for two referendums to allow "true and fundamental democracy" by letting the people speaks His proposed questions are Do you want a total and absolute cessation of violence? and "Do you want all parties to come to the table to negotiate an agreed future?" Both referendums should be held before the end of February, he said.
When Mr John Major met Mr Hume and Mr Seamus Mallon last week, they were told that he would meet them again before coming to any conclusions and would put to them any proposals.
Meanwhile, the Ulster Unionist MEP, Mr Jim Nicholson, said he was glad that Mr Major's "clarification" had moved things forward. No one envisaged any return to Stormont or that an election would mean a body that had administrative and legislative functions.