Following from all that precedes, and recalling that “constitutional reform is a process which requires free and open public debate, and sufficient time for public opinion to consider the issues and influence the outcome”, the Venice Commission considers that it is highly doubtful that the constitutional referendum scheduled for 16 April 2017 could and would meet the democratic principles of the European democratic tradition. In addition, even if these standards were respected, the credibility of the results of a referendum held during a state of emergency that has been declared to consolidate government power would be compromised.