• Comment: Crisis that will test Blair's talent for reinvention
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Posted on 06/02/2005 12:23:13 PM PDT by Ernest_at_the_Beach
Jack Straw is today preparing to pull the plug on Britain's referendum on the EU constitution.
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Senior Whitehall sources said the Foreign Secretary will announce on Monday that the Bill paving the way for Britain's vote is to be put on hold.
The move, which follows "no" votes by the French and Dutch, is a further sign the controversial treaty is in its death throes.
Britain is unwilling to be the first country to declare the treaty dead, but Mr Straw is expected to use his statement to MPs to make clear the difficulties of resuscitating it
Britain's referendum on the EU constitution is to be shelved after Dutch voters dealt a devastating blow to the treaty, sources have said.
Foreign Secretary Jack Straw will announce on Monday that the Bill paving the way for the British vote is to be put on hold indefinitely.
The referendum - planned for early next year - cannot go ahead without the Bill which was unveiled in the Queen's Speech.
Foreign Office sources said Mr Straw would effectively suspend the referendum indefinitely. He is unlikely to put any timescale on events.
The move comes after the Dutch overwhelmingly rejected the constitution with 62% voting "no" and just 38% "yes".
The result was even more emphatic than Sunday's "no" vote in France. With two of the EU's founding members now rejecting the new rulebook, most observers say any hope of implementing it in the near future has now been killed off.
European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso is now holding a round of crisis talks to try to save the constitution.
Even before the Dutch "no" reinforced the scale of the political disaster now facing the European Union, he warned against "unilateral initiatives" by any government leaders which would pre-judge a summit on June 16 to consider the fall-out and where Europe goes from here.
In Britain, Europe Minister Douglas Alexander acknowledged the constitution was in trouble.
"These two 'no' votes leave the constitutional treaty in serious difficulty," he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme. "Certainly, from a British point of view, we are very clear of the need to respect public opinion and respect the results we have seen this week."
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Chicken!
LOL! Ya think?
BBC: EU struggles to save constitution
How Democratic of them.
You don't like the way a vote is going to go --- cancel the election.
Good move. Bump!
~~ or keep voting until you get the results that you want.
What a concept !
Since every country had to vote yes for the constitution to be approved and two countries have already voted NO.....what would be the purpose of wasting huge sums of money on a vote that is meaningless.
EU Faces Crisis of Confidence after Charter Rejections
Brussels 02 June 2005 |
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| EU Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso, wipes his eye during a media conference at EU headquarters in Brussels |
After the French "non" on Sunday, came the Dutch "nee" three days later. And the twin rejections of the EU's road map for further integration have left the bloc's leaders wondering what to do next.
The official line out of Brussels, as expressed by Jose Manuel Durao Barroso, the head of the European Commission, is that the ratification process should continue, despite the constitution's rejection by the French and the Dutch.
"All the member states should have the opportunity to express themselves, to say what they want, what is their opinion," he said. "I think that's fair. All member states should be treated equally."
That view is certainly shared by Latvia, where lawmakers Thursday gave their decisive approval to the constitutional treaty. That means 10 member states representing about half of the EU's population of 454 million have now ratified the treaty.
Latvian Foreign Minister Artis Pabriks does not agree with those skeptics who say the constitution, which must be approved by all 25 EU countries, is dead as a result of the French and Dutch votes.
"We are an independent country, one of 25, and we think that this treaty, which was negotiated for two years, is the best compromise that we could find," he said. "We know it's not a perfect treaty, but we have to go on, and this treaty offers a little bit better opportunities for smaller countries, and for an enlarged European Union in global competition."
Mr. Pabriks and other EU leaders say that, if four-fifths of the member states ratify the constitution by the end of next year, the bloc can then decide how to deal with the problems of those countries that have rejected it.
Some type of strategy is likely to emerge at an EU summit in Brussels in two weeks, but only after a range of options is explored. Most leaders will likely press for ratification in other countries. Some will propose extracting parts of the constitution and placing them in another, lesser treaty, so that the EU can function better than it does now. The British, who want to avoid a referendum of their own, in which the constitution would be rejected, may suggest privately that the charter be scrapped.
Meanwhile, EU leaders are wondering why The Netherlands, traditionally a champion of European integration, voted so decisively against the constitution. Yes, there was anger at the price rises that followed the introduction of the euro single currency. And, yes, there was concern that The Netherlands is the biggest per capita contributor to the EU budget. But Frans Weisglas, a leading member of the Dutch parliament, says his fellow citizens felt that they were losing control over their lives.
"They are afraid of Brussels," he said. "Too much decisions being taken in Brussels. So, that's the thing. They're not against Europe. But it's going too far, too fast, and it's too complex."
That message is backed up by Thomas Rupp, of the European "No" Campaign. He says the constitution is a symbol of the push by European leaders for an ever-closer union that ordinary citizens are not yet ready to absorb.
"And it is quite obvious that they definitely said 'no' to the new constitution, not to Europe," he said. "They just do not want to lose control. They do not want to give too much power to Brussels."
Europe now finds itself at a difficult crossroads. With complaints being expressed by French and Dutch voters about the consequences of its enlargement to the east, what happens now to the candidacies of Bulgaria and Romania, which are due to join the union next year? And what about Turkey, due to begin membership talks in October?
EU enlargement commissioner Olli Rehn acknowledges that enlargement fatigue played a role in the French and Dutch votes, but says the bloc's expansion will go on.
"In my view, the best response is to underline the need to respect the criteria of accession as strictly as possible, and that is, in fact, my main message to the candidate countries," he said. "As regards Turkey, we have defined very strict and clear conditions, which Turkey has to fulfill, before we can start the negotiations. They are related to the rule of law, to comprehensive legal reform, and, once Turkey meets those conditions and continues to normalize its relations with Cyprus, then the European Union has a commitment to open the accession negotiations with Turkey."
The defeat of the constitution in France and The Netherlands has sent the euro to its lowest level in eight months against the dollar. Former European Central Bank chairman Wim Duisenberg says that is a consequence of the political uncertainty on the continent.
"There are three lame duck governments in France, in Germany and Italy," he said. "That creates uncertainty. And that's always bad for a currency. The political uncertainty created will hamper the efforts in Europe to introduce more structural reforms, which are so very, very necessary."
If the most immediate issue facing Brussels is what to do about the constitution, the most pressing long-run challenge the EU faces is how to reconcile its need to create economic growth and jobs, and the desire of voters, especially in France, Germany and Italy, to preserve their generous, but unsustainable, welfare state. That is the real question Europe's leaders must grapple with, if the continent is to regain confidence in itself.
"If a plan failed yesterday, add more money, more bureaucrats, do it again, and THEN it will succeed, n'est pas?" What fools the French are, and all of Europe came close to throwing itself down the same rat hole as the French.
By the way, ratification requires 75% of the nations of Europe PLUS 75% of the population. Mathematically, this Constitution is already dead, without the Brits pounding another nail in the coffin.
Congressman Billybob
Perhaps they might vote yes on a constitution that outlines individual rights rather than one that infinitely increases the power of government.
Well it's the European way.....and we have a whole party over here that thinks that is just fine!
Congressman Billybob
If the most immediate issue facing Brussels is what to do about the constitution, the most pressing long-run challenge the EU faces is how to reconcile its need to create economic growth and jobs, and the desire of voters, especially in France, Germany and Italy, to preserve their generous, but unsustainable, welfare state. That is the real question Europe's leaders must grapple with, if the continent is to regain confidence in itself.
European Leaders May Scrap Constitution
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Today: June 02, 2005 at 12:40:55 PDT
THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) -
0602europe-charter European leaders faced the possibility of having to scrap the proposed EU constitution Thursday after Dutch voters rejected it by a massive margin, voicing their concern over dwindling national identity in a rapidly expanding union and increasingly powerful bureaucrats.
The outcome in the Netherlands from the referendum Wednesday - three days after a similar vote in France - was likely to halt the European momentum, which had been welcomed by some as creating a new world power but disdained by others as smothering their cultures in a vast superstate.
Latvia, meanwhile, became the 10th EU nation to approve the charter, but with the clear rejections by two founding EU members this week, there seemed no hope for salvaging the document in its present form.
EU leaders have stressed that the constitution - which needs approval from all 25 EU nations either by referendum or parliamentary vote to take effect - cannot be renegotiated. But the EU Commission in Brussels said Thursday that leaders would use a June 16-17 summit to discuss the possibility of crafting a new constitution.
Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende conceded defeat Wednesday night and said his government would accept the will of the people. He acknowledged the huge gap that has emerged between the politicians and the electorate.
"The idea of Europe has lived for the politicians, but not the Dutch people. That will have to change," he said. "We will need to bring across the message that there are doubts here about the fast pace of change, the Dutch identity and other, financial, concerns."
Balkenende consulted by phone with British Prime Minister Tony Blair and other EU officials in the hours after the Dutch results became clear.
German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder rushed to Luxembourg for a one-day to discuss future European policy with Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker, Schroeder's spokesman said.
Blair's government isn't saying yet what will become of its plans to put the constitution to British voters in a referendum that had been penciled in for next year, but most assume it's now certain to be called off. It's hard to imagine a "yes" vote in wary Britain after two of the EU's founding members resoundingly rejected the charter.
"The verdict of these referendums now raises profound questions for all of us about the future direction of Europe," British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said in London.
Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi said EU laws, regulations and bureaucracy could now be up for discussion.
"One can naturally discuss certain questions, the too many laws, the too many regulations, the bureaucracy," he told reporters.
With 99.8 percent of the Dutch ballots counted, unofficial results showed 61.6 percent voted "no," while 38.4 percent said "yes." The level of opposition and the turnout of 63 percent exceeded all projections.
The vote was seen by some as symbolic of an introverted attitude by the Dutch in recent years as they struggle do deal with issues such as integration, a shrinking economy and fears over Islamic radicalism.
It was the first vote held in the Netherlands on the Dutch involvement with Europe, and opponents spoke of a breakthrough for European democracy. The extent of the opposition was a shock to the political establishment, which campaigned for the charter until the final hours of voting.
Balkenende's unpopular government itself was partially blamed for the defeat. The Algemeen Dagblad daily said the government "could not remain without facing consequences," calling on Balkenende to dismiss members of his Cabinet.
Unlike French President Jacques Chirac, who fired his prime minister after the French no vote, Balkenende has said there will be no political fallout.
Gerrie Elfrink, a young Dutch Socialist Party city council member, said politicians had conceived the idea of a united Europe behind closed doors without consulting the people.
"We in Holland, we feel Dutch. We want to work together with France, Germany and England. But we want to be Dutch. Europe exists only in the minds of politicians in Brussels," he said.
"This is the first time in decades we could say something and we said, 'It's gone too far.'"
Harry van Bommel, who led the "no" campaign for the Socialist Party, was cheered by hundreds of revelers as he arrived at celebrations in Amsterdam. "It's the people - who for 50 years had to keep quiet about the direction, structure and future of Europe - who won tonight."
Geert Wilders, a right-wing member of parliament whose tough line on immigration has attracted many former Fortuyn voters, said he was "incredibly happy that the Dutch voter has rubbed it in the faces of the political elite in The Hague and Brussels."
Lawmakers in Latvia, one of 10 EU newcomers who joined the bloc the EU last year, voted 71-5 Thursday to approve the charter, with 24 legislators abstaining or absent.
"This was a symbolic step ... that shows that Latvia and other new member states are for the new united Europe and its fundamental law," said Janis Lagzdins, chairman of the government coalition People's Party's faction in Parliament.
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Today: June 02, 2005 at 12:52:02 PDT
Quotes from European politicians on the European Union constitution.
"The idea of Europe has lived for the politicians, but not the Dutch people. That will have to change." - Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende.
"Europe exists only in the minds of politicians in Brussels. This is the first time in decades we could say something and we said, 'It's gone too far.'" - Gerrie Elfrink, a Socialist Party city council member in the Netherlands.
"France is a founding nation of the Union (and) will continue to fully hold its place." - French President Jacques Chirac.
"The French dealt it a mortal blow Sunday, and yesterday the Dutch signed the death certificate." - Pierre Moscovici, a former French European affairs minister who helped write the EU constitution.
"We must acknowledge that many Europeans doubt that Europe is able to answer the urgent questions of the moment. The crisis surrounding the ratification of the European constitution must not become Europe's general crisis." - German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder.
"Without a doubt, the result of these referendums is going to affect the entry of new members into the European Union, especially Turkey and Croatia." - Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos.
"The verdict of these referendums now raises profound questions for all of us about the future direction of Europe." - British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw.
"The constitution is dead. The British government must now give the lead and unpick the mess which Europe has become." - Liam Fox, spokesman on international issues for Britain's opposition Conservative Party.
"I think the voting in the Netherlands and France was not a vote against the Baltics or the Poles, but a vote partly in fear of Turkey." - Janis Lagzdins, chairman of the People's Party's faction in Parliament, after Latvia became the 10th EU member to approve the constitution.
"It is hard to think of any global problem that Europeans could cope with better as 25 separate states than they could by working together in shared sovereignty. That reality will reassert itself with the passage of time." - John Bruton, former Irish prime minister and the EU's ambassador to Washington.
The Irish government "remains firmly of the view that the European constitution is strongly in Ireland's interest and in that of the European Union as a whole." - Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern.
"The only real burial of this betrayal will be when the United Kingdom overwhelmingly hurls this political corpse out of sight and out of mind." - Ian Paisley, leader of the Democratic Unionist Party in Northern Ireland, on his party's opposition to the EU constitution.
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