The debate on whether religion
is an issue for the European Constitution continues both inside and outside of
the Brussels arena. The German opposition, Christian Democratic Party (CDU)
will fight for an article on religion to be written into the Constitution
draft, CDU leader Angela Merkel said yesterday, 27 May.
German
Christian democrats are the biggest group in the European parliament, the EPP,
which would now reinforce their calls for a reference to God in the
Constitution draft.
These
statements followed Ms Merkel's visit to the Vatican where she met Pope John
Paul II. The meeting with the Pope apparently had a strong impact on the
politician, German media commented today.
Religion
is one of the most controversial topics for the Convention on the future of
Europe. Convention president Valéry Giscard d'Estaing thinks a reference to God
should be left out of the Constitution draft.
According
to Mr Giscard, Europeans live in a purely secular-political system where
religion does not play a role. At the same time, several Convention members are
insisting on defining the issue, and perhaps including a wording similar to the
Polish constitution.