French voters reject EU charter (constitution)

BBC ^ | May 30, 2005

[Betaille]

French voters have rejected the proposed EU constitution in Sunday's referendum, according to an exit poll. The poll quoted by French TV gives the "No" side 55% - in line with surveys published in the run-up to the vote.

[Betaille]

"There is absolutely no way that Chirac can impose it now."

I agree. This is a near landslide. Definetly a solid NO. It's time for the people of Europe to stop letting themselves be pushed around. This is the vote, this is the result, hold your leaders to it.

[USAfearsnobody]

Last resort, which he will, gladly.

[TFine80]

No, I'm just joking. I was actually looking at some of the right wing websites this weekend -- not Le Pen but some of the others.

They're not really racist or crazy. Just discriminated against and mocked by the media the same way we are. And you can understand why they are not so fond of the US, we don't exactly flatter French nationalism over here!

[Brilliant]

55% is a landslide.

[apackof2]

Myabe but its not over until the fat lady sings and I don't hear a note

[EDINVA]

ah, poor Jacques. C'est bien domage.

[meatloaf]

Not sure about that after Britain votes. Doesn't the Netherlands have an upcoming vote too?

[what's up]

France rejected for the wrong reasons...Holland hopefully will reject for the right reasons.

Super duper. Things look good.

[Cornpone]

Ping...The Netherlands is next:)

[Kozak]

55% is a landslide.

Unless the MSM doesn't like the result. Then it isn't even a "mandate".

[Mihalis]

55% is a landslide by election standards.

[Emerald]

Thank you, France!

[inquest]

EU will stop to exist as we know it in 5 to 10 years. They will be back to independent states with loose economic relations.

I don't think so. Not without a lot more effort on the part of the individual countries, anyway. The trend right now is that the EU is continuing to get more powerful within its domestic sphere, and that trend can simply continue without a formal constitution.

[Betaille]

"Unless the MSM doesn't like the result. Then it isn't even a "mandate"."

Yes... the BBC is claiming that they're "just holding out for a slightly better deal". A conservative MP is trying to set the EU cheerleader reporter from BBC straight.

[MadIvan]

Sky news says the exit polls say it's between 55% and 58%, on a turnout between 70% and 80%.

Chirac is thoroughly fried. That's it.

Regards, Ivan

[cake_crumb]

Yay. Unfortunately, they're just holding out for more power.

[WKUHilltopper]

Well, looks like ol' Jock Strap got snapped!

[alwaysrepublican]

Time will tell.

[Bogey78O]

It's not a repudiation of socialism or one-worlders. French workers didn't get their cut and told Chirac what they thought of it at the box.

[CasearianDaoist]

Given all the media and official headwinds it is actually quite impressive, though the media will spin it otherwise. The media is quite controled overthere. Of course, the "Non" people ran a clever campaign but they were overspent by the yes vote.

Was 51% impressive last year here? given all the constraints, I would think that you would say "Oui."