The first potential pitfall in the long and difficult road towards ratifying the European Constitution will come on Wednesday (1 December)
Published:
30 November 2004 y., Tuesday
The first potential pitfall in the long and difficult road towards ratifying the European Constitution will come on Wednesday (1 December) as French Socialists decide in an internal referendum whether to campaign for a "yes" or a "no" to the proposed Treaty.
The stakes are high. A Socialist "no" to the Treaty could tip the balance in a country whose voters are marginally in favour of the Constitution (60-40). If France votes "no", many have warned that the EU will be plunged into crisis.
On a recent visit to Britain, French President Jacques Chirac warned that France could reject the Treaty if the Socialists decide to campaign against it.
On the other hand, a Socialist "yes" makes a French "yes" much more likely and may embolden Mr Chirac to hold a general referendum on the Treaty as early as May next year.
Leaders from Brussels and around the EU will be keeping a nervous eye on the result – expected on Thursday morning.
The leaders of Germany, Spain and the Czech Republic have already published an open letter in Le Monde, urging the Socialists to say yes to the Constitution.
Šaltinis:
EUOBSERVER
Copying, publishing, announcing any information from the News.lt portal without written permission of News.lt editorial office is prohibited.
The most popular articles
For three days now these group of Venezuelan students have not eaten any food - they're staging a hunger strike against President Hugo Chavez.
more »
Contest challenges young people from Europe and beyond to find creative solutions to real-life problems.EU-sponsored contest challenges young people to think creatively.
more »
In time-honoured tradition it's time for Hamburg's swans to head to their winter quarters.
more »
On 24 November, Lithuania’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Vygaudas Ušackas will attend the ceremony during which the Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to Lithuania Tong Mingtao will hand over the aid to the residential care centre “Vilties Namai” in Vilnius.
more »
If your airline goes bankrupt and leaves you stuck what are your legal rights? Wednesday at midday a crucial vote will be held by MEPs in Strasbourg that could clear the way for the setting up of a compensation fund for stranded passengers.
more »
EU support for volunteering should be stepped up to €10 million, as part of the 2011 European Year of Voluntary Activities Promoting Active Citizenship, said the Education and Culture Committee on Monday evening.
more »
Jacques Barrot and Luc Van den Brande to co-chair conference assessing the implementation of child rights by local and regional authorities.
more »
Europeans will soon have a new way of getting the commission to act on issues that concern them. But how will the new citizens’ initiative work in practice?
more »
In Ukraine local communities are directly affected by climate change impacts.
more »
Ageism is growing problem – or so most Europeans think.
more »