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.
Warren Buffet is deeply saddened.
The German parliament passed it a couple days ago. It has also been passed by a few of the smaller countries.
And you are modest, too!
What I understand if he got his a*** kick in EU vote would he said he disregard the French vote on it
What a***hole
How does one say ''Wish we had zee hanging chad defense'' in French
How do you say "The French are flaming *ssholes" in German? (It's gotta be good!)
The problem is the existance of so many regulations in the first place, whether they are formally in a constitution or not. Our government proves that a short and basic constitution doesn't prevent the development of burdensome and numerous regulations.
always ;)
the right to be left alone.
I bet ole Jimmah Carter is on his way over there right now to shout that it was an unfair election!!!
It is impossible to be united and have diversity. You cannot have 25 different languages and cultures and be "unified" it just does not work.
Oh yes we can. It just depends on which issues you want unity.
Yeah, congrats to u2! A good day for Europe!
See post #49.
Post 20 did it for me, but, the german here didn't like it.
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