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
'Play to Stop – Europe for climate' – a campaign giving young Europeans a chance to learn and talk about climate change and the environment.
more »
The Japanese city of Hiroshima held its annual peace memorial ceremony Thursday to remember the first atomic bomb ever used against human beings on the day 64 years ago.
more »
Surfers attacked by sharks - a typical summer headline, in some parts of the world. But really it's the sharks who need protecting - over a third of all shark species living in the open seas are threatened with extinction.
more »
Lottery fever is sweeping Italy ahead of Tuesday's night's record draw.
more »
The Sudanese women are protesting Lubna Hussein's sentence of 40 lashes for the crime of wearing trousers in public.
more »
On August 4–6 Lithuanian, Latvian and Estonian members of the Baltic Battalion staff will exercise in the Lithuanian Grand Duke Algirdas Mechanised Infantry Battalion (Rukla, Jonava Distr.).
more »
Mobile exposition of needleworks of Afghan women, artefacts found by Lithuanian archaeologists in Ghowr and photo and video material produced by the Lithuanian-led PRT will be displayed in the major cities of Lithuania.
more »
The killing of two teenagers by a gunman who opened fire on a gay meeting in Tel Aviv has shocked many Israelis.
more »
Missing luggage still a big headache for passengers in Europe.
more »
As Europeans hit the beaches in large numbers this summer the risk of skin disease is present if people expose them to too much sun and don't use adequate protection.
more »