VILNIUS - In an event that will go down in European history, EU heads of state gathered together to sign the first ever European Constitution Agreement in Rome on Oct. 29. The event did not go unnoticed in Lithuania, with politicians dragging it into yet another postelection battle.
The Lithuanian delegation which accompanied President Valdas Adamkus to Italy included Prime Minister Algirdas Brazauskas, Foreign Minister Antanas Valionis and a dozen reporters. Their attempt to spark interest in society over European affairs might have seemed praiseworthy, but on closer examination, it became clear that the politicians were only pushing for the constitution's immediate ratification in Lithuania.
Authorities intend to ratify the document only a week after it was signed in Rome, making Lithuania the first of 25 European states to ratify the EU constitution. In order to accomplish this goal, the Seimas (Lithuania's parliament) is to vote on approval of the constitution without holding a referendum. Eleven members of the bloc intend to ratify the constitution by referendums, while 13 plan to put it to a vote in Parliament.
Some analysts are raising eyebrows at Lithuania, asking if there is really need for such haste.
Even Brazauskas admitted that there were very few in Lithuania who knew what direction the country would take after signing the document. He added that, in truth, most people do not even understand what the constitution means to the Baltic state.
The Seimas started the ratification procedure for the EU constitution on Nov. 5. Parliament voted 63 against and four in favor of ratification. As a result, the constitution is scheduled to be ratified on Nov. 11.
"Personally, I think that the Lithuanian people have already made the strategic decision to be in Europe by referendum. Today you must just simply endorse their decision," Foreign Minister Antanas Valionis said when presenting the law on the ratification of the EU constitution.
The foreign minister believes that Lithuania can also historically defend its wish to be one of the first EU countries to ratify the constitution.
"We have been Polonized, have lost our elite, had been divided, occupied, and have always walked among the shadows. The time has come to boldly raise our heads and create our own future. We need to get rid of the serf reflex," he said.
Meanwhile, representatives of the opposition Liberal and Center Union, and the Union of Farmers and New Democracy Parties have proposed to ratify the treaty in the new Parliament, scheduled to hold its first meeting on Nov. 15.
Although the government voted to submit the agreement for ratification and asked President Valdas Adamkus to send it to Parliament for approval, the Liberal-Center Union issued a statement in which it warned the incumbent Cabinet not to rush into ratification without first consulting the Lithuanian people.
Chairman of the Liberal and Center Union Arturas Zuokas said that the country's rush to make history did not demonstrate courage, but rather disrespect to Lithuanian citizens.
"The document will determine the further development of our country and lives of our people, therefore I don't think one should make a race out of this," Zuokas said.
In response to the rebuttles, Valionis proposed to provide lectures on EU constitution provisions at schools, in addition to lectures on the Lithuanian constitution. He did not, however, rule out that the EU constitution could be ratified in the new Parliament, which in his words could be a certain "bridge of continuity."
