BRATISLAVA, Slovakia, July 14 (UPI) -- Slovak Prime Minister Mikulas Dzurinda is opposed to a referendum ratifying the new European constitution, the Markiza Television network reported Wednesday.
Dzurinda's comments came after a meeting with Slovakia's newly inaugurated president, Ivan Gasparovic, who is also opposed to a referendum.
The Christian Democratic Movement, a member of Dzurinda's center-right coalition government, wants a referendum on the constitution, which it condemns for failing to include references to Christian values.
Since voters in Slovakia have been remarkably apathetic on European issues in recent months -- turnout at the European elections was less than 17 percent -- analysts say it would be impossible to predict the outcome of any referendum.
All European Union countries must ratify the constitution for it to become valid. Dzurinda and Gasparovic favor a vote in parliament on the matter where approval is the most likely outcome.
