Sarkozy rules out referendum on European fiscal treaty

French President Nicolas Sarkozy on Monday ruled out holding a referendum on a European treaty for fiscal discipline if he was re-elected, saying it would be too complex. "As it is a treaty with 200 or 250 articles, I don't see what the clear question would be," he told France's RTL radio. Sarkozy, who is standing in the presidential vote, the first round of which will be held on April 22, added: "One can perfectly imagine a referendum on Europe on the common currency for example ... because the question would be perfectly clear 'do you want to change the franc for the euro?'" All EU countries except Britain and the Czech Republic have said they were in favour of joining a pact on budget discipline. The deal is to apply at the very minimum to the 17 eurozone members, as well as any other EU countries that want to adhere to it. The budget pact is due to enter into force on January 1, 2013 but has proved highly controversial in some countries such as Ireland where many have called for a referendum, claiming it amounts to a surrender of sovereignty.