Leading government member Bronislaw Komorowski said in an interview for Polish Radio 3 this morning that a referendum on the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty is a bad idea, because of the risk of an insufficient turnout.

According to Komorowski, Poland's position as one of the leading countries in the European Union is dependent on ratifying the treaty; Poland would become EU's 'black sheep' if it rejected the document..

The Speaker reminded that Poland has time to make the decision till the end of the year. He said that if it came to a referendum, it should be called when there is a chance of a high turnout. According to him, it could be joined with the elections to the European Parliament.

Komorowski also stressed that if the President did not sign the bill on ratifying the treaty, he would infringe the constitution.

A referendum on the Lisbon Treaty would only occur if the government failed to get the necessary majority in the Polish parliament, or if the President refuses to sign the bill after passing through the legislative chamber.(mo)