Cyprus coalition partner rejects EU Constitution

Cyprus’ main coalition party, the communist AKEL, voted on Monday to reject the EU Constitution when it comes up for a vote in the National Assembly on June 30.

AKEL’s rejection of the Constitution comes as no surprise, since AKEL’s two Members of the European Parliament voted against the Constitution at the European Parliament vote in Strasbourg last January.

AKEL argues that the EU Constitution promotes neo-liberal values.

The Constitution is still likely to be passed, however, as it enjoys the support of all other major parties in parliament, including the other coalition partner, DIKO.

President Tassos Papadopoulos urged the National Assembly to go ahead with its plans to vote on the Constitution on June 30 despite its rejection by voters in France and the Netherlands.