67% of citizens in the enlarged EU support the idea of a European
Constitution according to a « Flash Eurobarometer » on the Convention and on the Intergovernmental Conference. 84% consider it "essential" or "useful" to give their opinion on the future Constitution by referendum. Poll results generally show large support for various institutional proposals made by the Convention and differ little from the June 2003 results. However, only five countries out of the 25 surveyed have more than 50% of respondents who state that they have heard about the Convention, compared to ten countries out of 25 in June.

The poll leading to these results was carried out in the period from 22
September to 3 October 2003 preceding the launch of the Intergovernmental
Conference (IGC). A first poll with the same questions had been carried out following the European Council in Thessaloniki in June 2003.
Support levels for the idea of a European Constitution vary between
countries. The highest levels of support are found in Italy, Hungary, and
Spain. In eleven countries more than 2/3 of the population back the idea of a European Constitution. In six countries, support is lower than 50%.
However, in each of the 25 countries support for a Constitution is higher
than opposition.

The level of satisfaction with the Convention's work is higher than the
level of dissatisfaction in the EU 25 (29% compared to 25%, with 46% of
"don't knows" or "no answer"). Asked about more specific topics, citizens
generally favour the institutional proposals of the Convention. Respondents supported a permanent President of the European Council appointed by Heads of State and Government, with 56% in favour. The proposal for a European Minister for Foreign Affairs garners a support from 53% of respondents. 68% express support for granting the Parliament a vote on all European decisions.
Concerning the way the IGC should handle the Convention's draft, results
continue to show that 46% of the public want a partial modification only,
and a small proportion would like the text to be adopted as it is (10%). 12% would prefer to see it rejected outright, and 8% prefer radical changes. Nearly a quarter of respondents have no view on this.
In the 25 countries, 11% of the general public would like to read the draft Constitution in detail, while 45% do not want to read it. 37% intend to read a summary. 61% of citizens in the EU 25 have never heard of the Convention on the Future of Europe. Such a general lack of information could jeopardise acceptance of the Constitution. However, it also seems that a national debate on the matter can dramatically reverse this situation. The Greek case is instructive: in June 2003, when the Convention's work was being discussed at the European Council in Thessaloniki, 81% of the Greeks stated they had heard of the Convention. This figure has now dropped to 49%. Many questions in the survey get a high non-response rate ("don't know" or "no answer"). There often appears to be a link between a high non-response rate and a relatively lower satisfaction rate with the Convention's work, or with a lower than average support for the idea of a European Constitution.
The Commission reiterates its proposal, already submitted to the IGC, to
have a single "ratification day" in Europe on the draft Constitution in all countries according to national procedures (i.e. by parliamentary vote or referendum). Such a day of simultaneous ratification would stimulate and intensify a genuinely European debate on the Constitution.

Ariane Moret
Commission européenne
Secrétariat général
Task Force Avenir de l'Union et questions institutionnelles
Débat public et Forum Avenir de l'Union
Bureau BREY 8/38
B-1049 Bruxelles
Tél. : 32 2 299 87 21
Fax : 32 2 299 13 86
E-mail : Ariane.Moret@cec.eu.int