French referendum 'no' would mean 'fall of Europe'

AFP ^ | Apr 23, 2005

[Mount Athos]

Former European Commission president Romano Prodi warns that a French rejection of the proposed European Union constitution in the forthcoming referendum would mean "the fall of Europe".

If France votes "no" on May 29, he told the Sunday paper Journal du Dimanche, it would be far more than a case of the country being "the black sheep" of Europe, using an expression employed by French President Jacques Chirac.

"There will be no more Europe," Prodi, now leader of the Italian centre-left opposition to Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, said.

"We will go through a great period of crisis. The problem will not only be a catastrophe for France, but the fall of Europe.

"A 'no' would be catastrophic for economic and social Europe, not only political Europe" he added. "And that is the whole contradiction: everyone knows very well that there is no Europe without France, yet France does not realize the chance it has with Europe.

"It should think, because it would be very weak on its own," Prodi said.

"It is impossible for me to imagine a French 'no'. I have always thought of France as a pillar of Europe.

"The constitution is not perfect but it is the best one possible at the moment, and certainly a step in the direction of social and political integration, a step towards the model France has always defended and promoted."

A string of recent opinion polls has suggested that French voters will reject -- possibly by a large majority -- the constitution, although both major parties of the right and the chief leftwing group support a "yes" vote.

[Mount Athos]

Kleptocrat fabricates scare scenerios in a desperate attempt to cling to power. The European Commission he heads is perhaps the most tyrannical and unrepresentative organ of the EU.

[monkeywrench]

Had to look to make sure this wasn't from "Scrappleface".

[paudio]

everyone knows very well that there is no Europe without France

Really?

[randog]

...would mean "the fall of Europe".

That should read, "...would mean "the fall of Europe again".

[protest1]

Former European Commission president Romano Prodi warns that a French rejection of the proposed European Union constitution in the forthcoming referendum would mean "the fall of Europe".

I think he means the EU.

Let's hope so!!

[JustAnotherOkie]

Only the French can shoot themselves in the foot this well.

[Da Bilge Troll]

Oh, yes! Poor Jacques! I fart in his general direction!

[dutch52]

in the netherlands the justice minister is telling everyone if we reject the constitution war will break out sooner or later, such a pathetic argument deserves a no!

[cgbg]

black sheep of Europe

Yellow sheep is more like it. :-)

[Plutarch]

I have always thought of France as a pillar of Europe.

What you get with a pillar such as France:

[engrpat]

French referendum 'no' would mean 'fall of Europe'

WOW talk about an inflated ego! Zow pow guess Europe and world revolves around France. Shows what a joke they are.

[DTwistedSisterS]

When in the world did Europe ever RISE?!

[axes_of_weezles]

No; It means they will have to surrender.

[trebb]

I have always thought of France as a pillar of Europe.

Hmmm - I never knew that "pillar" was interchangeable with "shaft".

[John Jorsett]

And that is the whole contradiction: everyone knows very well that there is no Europe without France

Like the continent would vanish if the French aren't on board with the EU. Get a grip.

[bubman]

It is quite interesting to see the old alliance against GWB falling on their faces. Maybe GWB does have GOD on his side after all!

It's Bush's fault!!

[Guard Dog]

How is it that this miserable little outpost of elitest euro snobbery, and neo socialism has become so important to the EU experiment? It's economy does not even rank among the 5 best of Europe, it's unemployment rate is around 11%. They have not been a military power since 1812 and even further, have capitulated in nearly every conflict they could not slink away from.

[eleni121]

In a strange way the fall of the European Union would be its salvation.

[TFine80]

Silly you.... Don't you realize that Brussels bureaucrats have hijacked the very word "Europe" to signify their idiotic wet dream of total bureaucratic control.

[kennedy]

When in the world did Europe ever RISE?!

The Third Reich?