LIVE Thread: France votes on EU Constitution [Schadenfreude Alert]

Various ^ | May 29, 2005 | nwrep

[nwrep]

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Initial reports show a turnout of 25%. Last polls before voting began show the No vote leading by 56% to 44%.

[anonymoussierra]

"Nicolas Bachelot
Technician, 40

I voted "No", because I think it is a bad idea. The treaty doesn't pay enough attention to social and ecological issues. As Europeans we need to become more aware of our social responsibilities.

The text just furthers the commercialisation of our society, and it will be a real step forward if the "No" vote wins.

Antoine Chiasso
Retired, 68

I don't see how the constitution will work, so I voted against it. I don't even know how the politicians are able to understand it.

Anyway, I think it's a constitution for big business, rather than the people. I want a Europe that shares more. Maybe it will happen in 50 years' time.


Aurelie Thomann
Website designer, 28

I voted "No", because it's not the right constitution for Europe. I read a lot of the text, to make an informed decision.

I don't think that it is right that it covers both human rights and economic policies - the economic side shouldn't be in there. It should be more about regulating the way EU institutions work."

[jimbo123]

Current BBC man on the street comments from Frog voters:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/05/europe_france0s_eu_referendum/html/1.stm

[MrsEmmaPeel]

Polls close at 10PM.

Many thanks. I'm GMT-7; FR= GMT+2, its 10:02 am my local time = 7:02 pm FR time. So I figure there is less than 3 hours to go.

[anonymoussierra]

Thank you Ivan

[anonymoussierra]

Thank you"jimbo123"

[olde north church]

Can 50 million Frenchmen be wrong?

[anonymoussierra]

This is french
76% de nos visiteurs voteraient "Non" au référendum du 29 mai !

Thank you

http://www.sciencepolitique.net/constitutioneuropeenne/sondages

[Knitting A Conundrum]

BTTT for later finding....

[keat]

I wonder if Chirac if pulling a John Kerry and having a little nap right now.

[Bahbah]

Thanks for the ping, FRiend. Looks like this thing is going down.

[Bahbah]

Bokassa was said to be a very cruel man. He drank the blood of his enemies and he even ate the flesh of human babies. He fed wild animals with his political enemies.

Good grief. What was the UN position on this? Oh, never mind.

[Pikamax]

http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?storyID=8634293&type=worldNews

PARIS (Reuters) - The French flocked to the polls on Sunday to vote on the European Union's first constitution, with final opinion polls pointing to a "No" that could kill a charter intended to ensure the smooth running of the enlarged bloc.

With three hours to go before the last polling stations close, 66.24 percent of registered voters had already cast their vote, the Interior Ministry said.

That was nearly 10 percentage points up on the turnout at the same time of the day during the 1992 referendum on the Maastricht Treaty on closer EU integration, in which 69.69 percent of voters finally cast their ballot.

Analysts are split on which camp could benefit from a high turnout. The last surveys put the "No" camp clearly ahead, with up to 56 percent expected to vote down the treaty at the end of a heated campaign that divided France and became a debate on the government's economic record as well as the future of Europe.

[blackie]

Thanks for the ping, Sara!

[Right_in_Virginia]

I'm in and out all day today...pleae "ping" me when we have a vote.

Thanks.

[anonymoussierra]

I do will good friend thank you

[anonymoussierra]

20:46 1.2.3.4.5 1 hour thank you

[anonymoussierra]

"Looks like this thing is going down."Chirac do have now nervous attack :}}}}}}}}}}}

[blackie]

The European Union like the UN needs to go away!

[July 4th]

They are voting no because of all of your Polish plumbers. :)

[Petronski]

There is no ambassador in the cartoon, only an empty suit.