A flash Eurobarometer survery released by the European Commission indicates that across the 25 EU/CEE countries only 45 % of those questioned had heard of the EU Convention. Highest recognition came from Greece, which had held the most recent EU Presidency. Lowest scores were found in the UK where 75 % of those questioned did not know what the Convention was.
But about 50 % of those interviewed would be interested in reading a summary of the constitutional treaty. Citizens were confused about whether the Convention’s draft would automatically be adopted and whether Member States would change the text or national parliaments have a role in ratification. Overall satisfaction levels with the Convention’s work at 30% are higher than the proportion of citizens dissatisfied with the Convention. About half of those questioned had no opinion.
43 % of those questioned felt that the Constitutional draft needed to be partially modified by Member States. Finally over 80 % stated that national referendums were essential or useful to allow citizens to provide views on the new Constitution.
