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.
Do over?
NON spelled backwards is still NON...
This might be the first rational thing the French have done in centuries.
France saves European sovereignty.
I am shock
I thought French would surrender
WELL They always do
The EU Constitution will not pass if any of 25 members states does not ratify it.
Maybe the courts will just put it into effect despite the vote. That's the way it works over here, isn't it?
BWAAA-HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
I am seldom mistaken.
Constitutiooooon adieeeeeu, adieu, adieu!!!
Ping!
Merci mes amis francais!
C´etais une bonne response aux les bureaucrats de la Bruxelles.
Je suis tres hereux. Merci bien de la Republique Federale d´Allemagne,
Michael
Those damn Anglos are to blame for this.
Only a bureaucrat could make a straight-faced assertion that, at 500+ pages, an EU constitution would 'streamline' anything.
I wouldn't call it that.
The French didn't like this because it was too "right wing" for them!
Now watch that toad Chirac spin smooth-talk, soothe-talk, cajole and threaten his hapless subjects into getting conned yet again...
Shame doesn't exist in the dictionary of socialist politicians
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