Danes seem ready to say yes to the Amsterdam Treaty
Ippubblikat: 27 March 1998
When it comes to referendums on amendments to the EU Treaties, the Danes are notorious for their scepticism, as evinced by their initial "no" to the Maastricht Treaty in 1993.
According to a survey conducted in February 1998 on behalf of the LO trade union confederation, the sceptical Danes may vote "yes" to the new Amsterdam EU Treaty on 28 May.
When it comes to referendums on amendments to the EU Treaties, the Danes are notorious for their scepticism, as evinced by their initial "no" to the Maastricht Treaty in 1993.
However, a survey conducted for the Danish Confederation of Trade Unions (Landsorganisationen i Danmark, LO) in the period 4-16 February 1998 indicates that 49% will vote "yes" in the referendum to be held on 28 May 1998 on the new Amsterdam Treaty (EU9707135F), while 29% will vote "no" and one out of five have not made up their mind. Among the members of LO-affiliated trade unions, 42% will vote "yes", 32% will vote "no" and one out of four have not made up their mind.
Since its affiliates have a total of approximately 1.5 million members, LO has recognised that it has a major responsibility in the Treaty referendum. Because the debate leading up to the 1993 referendum is seen in retrospect as having been a negative campaign, which focused mainly on the down-side of a "no" vote, this time LO has decided to concentrate on ensuring that as much information as possible on the Treaty is available to its members (DK9709128F).
Misconceptions and lack of concrete information about the possibilities in the new Treaty and about the implication of EU Directives seem widespread. It is interesting to note that 45% of those in the LO survey do not believe that EU has or will improve health and safety, although an LO analysis shows that 37 out of a total of 72 relevant EU Directives have improved health and safety rules in Denmark since 1990. It is equally interesting to note that 45% of the respondents do not believe that the new Treaty will increase the social partner organisations' influence on EU Directives, in spite of the fact that European social partner organisations have been given the right to conclude agreements in the field of social policy which may be implemented by Directives.
Il-Eurofound jirrakkomanda li din il-pubblikazzjoni tiġi kkwotata kif ġej.
Eurofound (1998), Danes seem ready to say yes to the Amsterdam Treaty, article.
