Posted on 05/30/2005 9:17:20 AM PDT by DJ Taylor
PARIS, May 29 - Turning its back on half a century of European history, France decisively rejected a constitution for Europe on Sunday, plunging the country into political disarray and jeopardizing the cause of European unity.
The victory for the no vote - 55 percent to 45 percent - came in a nationwide referendum on the European Union constitution after a bruising campaign that divided France and alarmed Europe.
Foreshadowed in recent polls, the no vote could doom the 448-article treaty because all 25 members of the European Union must ratify it before it can take effect.
The rejection could signal an abrupt halt to the expansion and unification of Europe, a process that has been met with growing disillusionment among the wealthier European Union members as needier countries like Poland and Slovakia have negotiated their entry.
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
1. Pollsters said the rejection reflected French voters' anger at the 72-year-old president...as well as fear that the treaty would erode France's generous cradle-to-grave social safety net.
2. The schism was borne out in and around Paris, where wealthy neighborhoods seemed to vote yes, while poor neighborhoods voted no.
3. in downtown Bobigny, a working-class suburb of Paris, ... With 18 percent unemployment and a large ethnic Arab and African population, 72 percent of the voters there said no.
Curious, that the unemployed and poor and "ethnic" vote opposed the consitution, when the EU would level the economic playing field, as least supposedly.
The very things necessary to provide employment opportunities were rejected. This is fascinating.
I still say boycott French products.
It is no more puzzling than why Democrats reject Social Security reform. They fear that any change in the system would threaten or eliminate government entitlements that they already have.
Wonderful news! I wish we could reject the UN like they rejected the EU. Strange coming from the French though. I wonder what is behind it? Arrogance?
Following is the complete text in English of President Jacques Chirac's televised address to the nation following French voters' rejection of the EU constitution.
'My dear fellow citizens of France and the overseas territories, France has expressed its democratic choice. By a majority you have rejected the European constitution. It is your sovereign decision, and I take note. Nonetheless our interests and our ambitions are deeply linked to Europe.
'France, a founder member of the Union, naturally stays in the Union. I want to say to all of you, to our European partners and to all the peoples of Europe, that France will continue to hold its place there and respect its commitments.
'Ratification procedures are underway in all the countries of the Union. Nine countries have come out for the 'yes', and our other partners will express their views in turn. Until then the European Union will continue to function on the basis of existing treaties.
'We have some important dates before us. On June 16 the European Council will meet in Brussels. There I shall defend the positions of our country, while keeping in mind the message given by French men and women. But let us make no mistake, France's decision inevitably creates a difficult context for the defense of our interests in Europe.
'We must respond by rallying round what is required for the national interest.
'My fellow citizens, you have in the course of these debates expressed your worries and your expectations. I intend to respond by giving a new and strong impulse to government action. In the coming days I will communicate my decisions concerning the government and its priorities.'
Sounds like Chirac is going to try to do what HE thinks is in the French National Interest by somehow proceeding as if nothing has changed and this election is just a minor delay to the process of homogenizing Europe. At the same time I expect he'll keep voting until the 'Right' outcome is obtained. Before he succeeds, I hope his 'Dear Fellow Citizens' and those of our other erstwhile ally, Germany, throw these bums out toute suite!
Am I to understand that you think the EU is a good thing, and would bring prosperity to the nations of Europe?
"I still say boycott French products."
Ditto. And sneer at those who don't.
The irony here is that the super-government schemers who created the EU constitution probably took working-class support for granted.
well said!!
Read that first sentence again and you can almost hear the wails of dismay and the gnashing of teeth as the NY Times euroleftist editors struggle to come to grips with what has happened.
I know that many of the factions that hepled the "Non" vote are largely anti-capitalist and anti-democratic. But I love seeing Chirac bite the big one nonetheless...
Vive La Wimpy Gutless France
That car should have been banned because of environmental dangers , it was a waist of natural resources.
Is that. . . a CAR? Really? What does it use for an engine? Oh no; don't tell me. Please.
No, and that's why this is curious.
The EU will be a big and largely unelected bureaucracy. But it also would bring open and competitive economics to Europe, with cheap plumbers from Poland competing with high-priced French ones, and Turkish clothing manufacturers competing with French tailors. This is why this is fascinating. The far left in France opposed it, and yet it is that for which the left had dreamed for so long: a government entity large enough to resist change once established, one that would create a multinational socialist web of egalitarianism and utopic interdependency.
Yet the commoners have rejected it. I am just fascinated by it all. I assume I do not have enough information to understand yet.
Believe me, I do not believe in big government and its enslavement of individuals.
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