RATIFICATION OF THE CETA IN EU MEMBER STATES

1. Ratification Process of the Parliaments: single or multi-chamber systems

• In all Member States except for Malta and the UK a parliamentary approval process is necessary. The country’s Constitutions define the approval procedure’s conditions and determine which chambers of parliament are involved in the decision-making.
• The following states are unicameral: Bulgaria, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Croatia, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Portugal, Sweden, Slovakia, Hungary, Cyprus.
• CETA has to be passed through two parliamentary chambers in: Belgium, Germany, France, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Czech Republic.

2. Where are Referenda for Ratification possible?

• In half of all Member States referenda on the approval of international treaties are possible: Bulgaria, Denmark, France, Greece, Ireland, Croatia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Hungary, Great Britain. Certain requirements have to be complied within each country.
• Parliaments, Presidents and/or governments can initiate a referendum in the following countries: Bulgaria, Denmark, France, Greece, Austria, Poland, Romania, United Kingdom.
• Citizens themselves can initiate a referendum in the following countries:

1. Croatia: 10 percent of the eligible voters can request a referendum from Parliament;
2. Lithuania: 300,000 citizens can call on their Parliament for a referendum;
3. Slovakia: A question e.g. through a citizens petition can be defined to be of “public interest.” The country’s Constitutional Court then examines if a referendum will be consistent with the Constitution.
4. Hungary: 200,000 eligible voters or 100,000 eligible voters and the President can propose a referendum;
5. The Netherlands: since July 2015 300,000 citizens can request a non-binding referendum from their Parliament.