Posted on 05/29/2005 1:41:55 PM PDT by Libloather
French Reject EU Constitution, Gov't Says
By JOHN LEICESTER, Associated Press Writer
5 minutes ago
PARIS - French voters rejected the European Union's first constitution Sunday, early government results showed — a stinging repudiation of the ambitious, decades-long effort to further unite the continent.
With about 83 percent of the votes counted, the referendum was rejected by 57.26 percent of voters, the Interior Ministry said. The treaty was supported by 42.74 percent, the ministry said.
All 25 EU members must ratify the text for it to take effect — and nine already have done so. The Dutch vote Wednesday, with polls showing opposition to the constitution running at about 60 percent.
"There is no more constitution," leading opponent Philippe de Villiers said. "It is necessary to reconstruct Europe on other foundations that don't currently exist."
De Villiers called on Chirac to submit his resignation — something the French leader had said he would refuse to do — and called for parliament to be dissolved.
"Tonight we face a major political crisis," he said.
EU officials had said that even if France rejected the treaty, efforts to ratify it in other countries would proceed, and they have been vague on whether the treaty might be somehow renegotiated or submitted to a repeat vote.
Backers said the constitution, which European leaders signed in October, would streamline EU operations and decision-making, and make the bloc more accessible to its 450 million citizens. The text would give the EU a president and foreign minister so it could speak with one voice in world affairs.
Opponents feared it would strip nations of sovereignty and trigger an influx of cheap labor just as European powers such as France and Germany struggle to contain double-digit unemployment.
Left-wing opponents argued that the treaty would not protect France's cherished social protections and public services, and would open the door to unfettered capitalism and trample on workers' rights.
Some said the treaty did not go far enough toward making the European Union more democratic, including by not giving enough powers to the European Parliament.
Exactly. The lack of democratic control is wrong - funny enough, the constitution would give more power to the parliament, but it would also strengthen the unelected commission. I don´t want a political union, because I don´t want Swedes, French, soon Romanians, Irishmen to decide what´s best for my country. We are not ready for a political union, so it´s good to slow down.
You´re right, it´s good that Chirac gave his people a voice and choice.
They need to go back to square one, and return to the smaller, original idea. People may approve that.
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I would. I am happy to work together but I don;t want an EU Parliament. if each natio had a representative it would be a hell of a lot wuicker and easier to agree on things.
Hahaha
I read that a year or two ago, Merkel proposed rather drastic freemarket reforms to the Welfare system and labor market, BUT Stoiber successfully watered down those reforms.
I was wondering, if Merkel becomes Chancellor, will Stoiber still be able to water down economic reforms or will Merkel be able to do what she wants without worrying about a veto from Stoiber who is fiscally socialist?
We are going to have a coalition formed of the CDU, CSU (Stoibers party) and the FDP. We will have to make compromises. Stoiber will have much power, but in the end we are going the track to tax cuts and lower budget. That´s the main difference between us and Schröder.
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