Franse politiek gaat uit van een 'Non'

[Dr. Marc-Alexander Fluks]

REPLY TO: D66 at nic.surfnet.nl

Bron:  Eupolitix.com
Datum: 26 mei 2005
URL:   http://www.eupolitix.com/EN/News/200505/bc224de9-c547-4250-a9ae-c76aabefe85a.htm


French EU referendum 'lost'
---------------------------

Senior French politicians have given Sunday's crucial EU vote up as 'lost',
report European newspapers.

Former French finance minister, leader of ruling centre-right UMP and rival
to President Jacques Chirac, Nicolas Sarkozy has predicted a 'non' on May 29.

'The thing is lost,' he is reported telling Elysee colleagues on Wednesday.

Le Figaro has reported Sarkozy as forecasting a definite rejection with the
French 'non' only a matter of degree. 'It will be a little no or a big no,'
he said.

International currency markets have reacted to the comments and a looming
French rejection of the EU constitution.

In the event of a 'no' both French and Dutch citizens should vote again
until Europe gets the 'right answer', the EU presidency has urged.

Luxembourg's Prime Minister and holder of the EU presidency Jean-Claude
Juncker also warned that a French 'non' would be a 'disaster' for Europe
and the whole world.

'The countries which have said 'No' will have to ask themselves the question
again. And if we don't manage to find the right answer, the treaty will not
enter into force,' he said.

'If there is a 'no' on Sunday in France, that would be a catastrophe for
France, for Chirac and for the entire world.'

FT Europe forecasts that rejection would be a 'savage electoral indictment'
of Chirac, who has tried to rebuild his authority on the basis of the EU
constitution.

Le Figaro reports that Chirac's TV address tonight will be his 'final call'
for the constitution, as well as his own political future.

One of France's top corporate chiefs, Claude Bebear, broke industry silence
on the referendum, telling FT Deutschland that a 'non' would be 'very bad'
for French companies, which would be blocked from undertaking necessary
reforms.

Four former Dutch leaders - Wim Kok, Ruud Lubbers, Dries van Agt and Piet
de Jong - have signed a declaration supporting the EU constitution, reports
FT Europe.

A poll published by Maurice de Hond for Dutch television, showed the 'ja'
camp closing the gap with no, moving up from 40 per cent to 43 per cent,
compared to three days earlier.

--------
(c) 2005 EUpolitix.com

**********
Dit bericht is verzonden via de informele D66 discussielijst (D66 at nic.surfnet.nl).
Aanmelden: stuur een email naar LISTSERV at nic.surfnet.nl met in het tekstveld alleen: SUBSCRIBE D66 uwvoornaam uwachternaam
Afmelden: stuur een email naar LISTSERV at nic.surfnet.nl met in het tekstveld alleen: SIGNOFF D66
Het on-line archief is te vinden op: http://listserv.surfnet.nl/archives/d66.html
**********