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.
"What a great humor. I wonder if you laughed if I were posting "funny" WTC photos dated of 9-11-01 or Pearl Harbour of 1941?? It´s only "funny" when you don´t think of the people behind."
You are equating the murder of innocent civilians with a political attempt by Europe's Federal government to reduce the sovereign rights of one of it's member states. Interesting. Insane, idiotic, childish, overbearing and cynical. But interesting.
Good bye Chirac, your days are numbered!
Have you even looked at what I was responding? Posting a pic of dying people (90 of them fellow-Germans) in a Concorde isn´t funny at all. If that´s what you call "American humor" I wonder how you think about those "funny" pics dated 12-7-1941 or 9-11-2001??
Think before posting!
Unfortunately, he won´t resign. He´s going to fire his PM Raffarin, but new elections - as they´re coming in September in Germany - are unlikely.
:}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}
Maybe a copy of the US Constitution will be a good template for the Europeans to look at.
It worked for us pretty damn well for over 250 Years!
It even withstands the heavy onslaught from the left.
If my memory serves me right, before the Constitution was drawn the likes of Franklin, Madison, Jefferson went to Europe to check things out.
Now, if we can control the Judiciary hunger for Power, legislating from the bench...!
And if I remember correctly, if Chiraq resigns he loses the immunity from prosecution that is offered to him as long as he holds that office. He definitely won't resign.
No he isn't. He's wondering why someone saw fit to post a picture of Concorde crashing.
The Concorde was a 50/50 deal between France and Great Britain.
So, it tilts either way in the comedy dept.
My "word-of-the-day". Love it!
At least they got to vote on it. When the North American Union comes we wont have a vote.
As the American expression goes, "even a stopped clock is right twice a day!" I'm happy to let the socialists, communists and assorted fruitcakes take the fall: the right vote for the wrong reasons still has the same outcome. This monstrosity of a "Constitution" which put no limits on the centralized powers of the government is dealt a crushing blow. Now it's up to the Netherlands to give it the coup de grace.
Bravo la France; il ya de quoi etre fiers!
Oui. Merci.
...Michael, I can feel "die Liebe" in the air...not!I LOVE the term "Schneckenfresser", cracks me up!
Michael, you have been here quite some time now
and I for one am always interested in your opinion.
What is going to happen now? Certainly the posibilities
of non ratification must have been at least looked at?
t.
"Think before posting!"
I think this is spot on. There is nothing funny about picture.
Shouldn't it read;
Die stinkenden Schneckenfresser sind brennende Arschloecher
;)
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