Saturday, May 28, 2005
Non
Tomorrow is referendum day in France and all signs point to a rejection of the new European Union constitution. The majority of the polls indicate that the French are set to shake the continent by rejecting the landmark charter. On Friday, Germany lent its support to the "Yes" campaign by becoming the ninth of the 25 EU nations to ratify the constitution.
Proponents say the constitution will streamline EU operations in the bloc following its enlargement to 25 member states last year and give it a president and foreign minister. But critics say the treaty enshrines economic policies that have failed to stem the flow of jobs to low-wage economies, including countries outside the European Union such as China. They want the constitution to be renegotiated to take more account of social concerns.
The latest opinion survey for Le Figaro newspaper and Europe 1 radio indicated that 55 percent would vote "no" to the treaty, with 45 percent saying "yes."
It is entirely possible that the Netherlands, which holds its own referendum on the constitution on Wednesday, could join France in the rejection circle. Polls there suggest the "no" camp is leading by 60-40 percent.
On Thursday, French President Jacques Chirac made a solemn, last-ditch effort on television to convince the French to vote "yes." If "no" wins, Chirac would suffer the humiliation of becoming only the second leader, after Gen. Charles de Gaulle, to lose a referendum since the founding of the French Fifth Republic in 1958.
The president has said he would not resign if the French vote "no." But he hinted that he might respond to calls to sack his unpopular Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin and make policy changes. "During this debate, Europe has not been the only issue. Concerns and expectations have been expressed. Apparently Raffarin is no Dick Cheney.
This appears to be yet another bump in the road in the European Union expansion long and drawn out expansion plans.
Proponents say the constitution will streamline EU operations in the bloc following its enlargement to 25 member states last year and give it a president and foreign minister. But critics say the treaty enshrines economic policies that have failed to stem the flow of jobs to low-wage economies, including countries outside the European Union such as China. They want the constitution to be renegotiated to take more account of social concerns.
The latest opinion survey for Le Figaro newspaper and Europe 1 radio indicated that 55 percent would vote "no" to the treaty, with 45 percent saying "yes."
It is entirely possible that the Netherlands, which holds its own referendum on the constitution on Wednesday, could join France in the rejection circle. Polls there suggest the "no" camp is leading by 60-40 percent.
On Thursday, French President Jacques Chirac made a solemn, last-ditch effort on television to convince the French to vote "yes." If "no" wins, Chirac would suffer the humiliation of becoming only the second leader, after Gen. Charles de Gaulle, to lose a referendum since the founding of the French Fifth Republic in 1958.
The president has said he would not resign if the French vote "no." But he hinted that he might respond to calls to sack his unpopular Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin and make policy changes. "During this debate, Europe has not been the only issue. Concerns and expectations have been expressed. Apparently Raffarin is no Dick Cheney.
This appears to be yet another bump in the road in the European Union expansion long and drawn out expansion plans.
# posted by Shaky @ 12:56 a.m. 
