Posted on 05/31/2005 6:51:53 AM PDT by DJ Taylor
PARIS, May 30 - The shock waves of France's rejection of a constitution for Europe reverberated throughout the Continent on Monday, with Britain suggesting that it might cancel its own popular vote on the document and the naysayers in the Netherlands gaining even more confidence that a no vote will prevail in a referendum there on Wednesday.
In France, the vote plunged the center-right government into crisis. President Jacques Chirac will announce "decisions concerning the government" and make a declaration on French television on Tuesday.
The statement was interpreted to mean that he would dismiss Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin and reshuffle his cabinet as a direct result of the repudiation of Mr. Chirac's leadership in a referendum on the European Union constitution on Sunday.
There has been open speculation for months that Mr. Raffarin would be replaced if the constitution failed in France, and after a 30-minute meeting with Mr. Chirac in Élysée Palace on Monday, the affable but unpopular prime minister said, "There will be developments today or tomorrow."
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
1.Farmers, workers and the unemployed were among those who led the way to the defeat of the European Union constitution in France...
2.According to the Ipsos polling agency, 70 percent of farmers voted no, despite the fact that France is the largest recipient of European Union farm subsidies. Public and blue-collar workers and the unemployed, all low-pay groups vulnerable in a country with more than 10 percent unemployment, voted no by 60 percent to 79 percent.
3.Although most of the Socialist Party hierarchy lobbied in favor of the treaty, 56 percent of Socialist voters rejected it. On the political extremes, 98 percent of the Communist Party and 93 percent of the extreme right National Front voted no.
4.Paris and Lyon, two of France's biggest cities, and pro-European regions like Alsace, Brittany and the Loire Valley voted yes, while rural France and smaller cities and towns voted no. Most surprisingly, 55 percent of people ages 18 to 25 rejected the treaty, underscoring what appeared to be a lack of trust in the future of Europe and the leadership of France.
So, the left wing voted no because they were afraid of losing their precious handouts. The right wing voted no because they are afraid of losing their sovereignty.
translation:Chirac, you fool, you allowed democracy into the process!
Whoa, the Times has been drinking too much of it's own Kool-AId!"
Yes I heard Dominique got the PM job. At least he is pro-U.S., right? God help us all. I have a question for the new PM: "Isnt Dominique a womans name?"
I thought it was the one hit wonder by the Singing Nuns.
They should have continued on with "And now he will correct that mistake and take it to the Parliament for radification BYPASSING THE PEOPLES VOTE."
There. That's better /src
"Don't you think it would have been a tactical mistake for Blair to hold a referendum?"
Yeah!
Can't have those lowly citizens deciding their own fate.
After all, the government knows what's best for them. /src
THere's a big difference between holding a referendum on an important, but temporary issue, such as the war; and on changing the very structure of government.
We didn't hold a referendum on the war here, either, but we do when we pass amendments to the Constitution. The issue here is whether France will be absorbed into a super-state. Such matters require the expressed consent of the governed, and not merely a calculation by the ruling class that they will not be punished too severely in the next elections.
European logic at its best. ALL members have to approve, otherwise it won't pass. One member has DISapproved. So this means it "likely" won't pass.
Deciding upon who to trade with is a decision left to the legislature as per the Constitution.
Trade with a foreign government requires no intervention by the public because there is no Constitutional change necessary.
When the people are asked to vote on referendum that would essentially change their way of life, and in effect, change the Constitution, then the question should be put to the public to be scroutinized. The Legislature should not be allowed to change what is layed down in the Constitution without the direct approval of the citizens.
That's why the Constitution starts with 'WE THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES', and not 'WE THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES'.
Yet.
Well, if it is just changed a bit and or a new vote is held etc., results could change. That is why even though one has already rejected it, it may not be the end.
Remarkable how the only voice that makes sense comes from New Europe.
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