If I may turn to the subject of a referendum, to which reference has b
een made, I will be frank and say that I have no time for the idea of a referendum on the same day throughout Europe, or in the countri
es where one can be held, and not only because Germany would not be able to take part in it, but also because we need to make clear what is stated in the constitutional treaty, namely that it is the Member States that have the final word where the Treaties are concerned – that is the fact of the matter, and that is why it is the Memb
...[+++]er States that must decide for themselves whence the legitimacy of this treaty is to be derived, and what shape it should take, in order then to transfer powers to Europe.