Britain ready to kill EU referendum

[BigBadBrian]

Britain ready to kill EU referendum
Andrew Porter and Peter Conradi



BRITAIN is ready to drop its plans to hold a referendum on the European Union constitution next year if there is a no vote in France today, according to Foreign Office sources.
The expected no vote in France, with a similar result expected in the Netherlands on Wednesday, puts pressure on Tony Blair who takes over the EU presidency on July 1.



President Jacques Chirac, who will broadcast on television after the polls close tonight, is set to urge other countries to continue with the ratification process.

Government sources said that was likely to cut little ice in Britain. “Chirac will attempt to shift the blame for the defeat and urge the other countries to go on and ratify because he does not want to carry the can for the constitution falling down,” a source said.

“The feeling now is that we do not really want to try to struggle on just to save his face.”

A rejection of the constitution in France would allow Blair “an out”, government sources added, saying that Britain had always been lukewarm about the document.

The last opinion polls in France put the no vote at 54%. Polls in Holland showed the no camp leading with 57%. Denmark, Poland, Portugal, Ireland and the Czech Republic say that they intend to press ahead with referendums.

Blair, who will make a statement from his holiday villa in Tuscany tomorrow, is wary of squandering political capital on a futile vote. A Downing Street spokesman said it was all about “political chemistry” in Europe. “If there is a no vote we will have to look at it,” he said.


Link (http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2087-1632575,00.html)

[BigBadBrian]

Chirac: French Reject EU Constitution

By JOHN LEICESTER
The Associated Press
Sunday, May 29, 2005; 4:45 PM



PARIS -- French voters rejected the European Union's first constitution Sunday, President Jacques Chirac said _ a stinging repudiation of his leadership and the ambitious, decades-long effort to further unite the continent.

Chirac, who urged voters to approve the charter, announced the result in a short televised address. He said the process of ratifying the treaty would continue in other EU countries.

"France has expressed itself democratically," Chirac said. "It is your sovereign decision, and I take note."

Earlier, the Interior Ministry said that with about 83 percent of the votes counted, the referendum was rejected by 57.26 percent of voters. It was supported by 42.74 percent.

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.

Chirac said before the vote he would not resign if the referendum was turned down in his country _ a primary architect of European unity.

The rejection, however, could kill any hopes he may have had for a third term. Chirac's approval ratings have plunged to 39 percent in recent weeks, and there was widespread speculation a "no" vote would prompt him to fire unpopular Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin.


Link (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/05/29/AR2005052900141_pf.html)