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Position Paper #3

Briefly explain the purpose and significance of the EU Constitution and then address the following questions:
What is your country’s position on ratifying the EU constitution? (If it already ratified, what was the vote? If not, what is the likely outcome of the vote?)
Was it by referendum, legislative vote, or both?
What were/are the main concerns regarding ratification? Any particular opposition parties?

The European Union’s Constitution, signed by the 25 member states October 29, 2004, symbolizes a major unity between the various countries of Europe. The ratification of this legally binding act essentially declares to the entire world that no more conflicts of the World War I and II’s nature never again will occur- basically ridding Europe of the domestic tensions that marred the 20th Century. Therefore, it is not surprising that so far many countries are experiencing trouble in ratifying this treaty. While EU constituents expected the confirmation of the Constitution to take at least two years, the outstanding defeats in a few countries- specifically France- bode detrimentally upon the future of this constitution.

As stated in a BBC News article, the constitution begins “by defining the areas in which the EU can operate and those which are left to national governments. It then makes EU action in those areas easier by having more majority voting. However it allows member states to have the final say in the key areas of tax, foreign policy and defense.” Other areas covered include the powers of the EU, the division of responsibilities, decision making, qualified majority voting, the election of the EU President and the Foreign Minister, reform of the Commission, the European Parliament, the Fundamental Rights, legal supremacy, and leaving the EU.

On May 29, 2005, the French people voted on the referendum; 55% of the population voted “Non”, compared to the 45% “Oui” voters. Many were surprised by this outcome, as France (one of the founding members of the EU), has often remained a strong proponent of the EU. However, the referendum’s results prove to the rest of the union that France is primarily concerned with the welfare of her citizens. Ironically, both the conservative government and the Socialist party supported the ratification of the document, yet the dissidents on the extreme ends of the political spectrum seemed to sway the voters more dramatically. The biggest concerns that the voters of France pointed out involved the economic and sovereignty issues raised by this document. Voters of the far left felt that the Constitution created a too-free market economy, while voters on the far Right feared the “big government”, or rather the loss of France’s sovereignty, while many just voted “non” to protest French president Jacques Chirac’s current administration, whom many feel is responsible for the country’s 10%+ unemployment rate. Yet a few critics had less French political problems, and more “EU national” concerns, such as the “imminent start of membership negotiations with Turkey, and France's loss of influence in Brussels as a result of the accession of 10 new members in 2004,” as explained in a BBC News article. "We need to listen to what the French have said. By saying 'No', the French are calling on us to call things into question deeply, rapidly, vigorously,” said the president of the governing UMP, Nicolas Sarkozy. "The French are urging us to put an end to our failure to act, to our over-cautiousness, or quite simply to our habits, to get the country moving and to put it back into motion without delay."

The question still remains- is there any hope for the current treaty, especially when it comes to French votes? Unfortunately for Chirac, the referendum was legally binding. Therefore, many expect that any possibility of another vote will not occur until the presidential elections in 2007, although another vote could occur as early as next year, depending on how the other EU nations vote. In the meantime, France and Germany (one of the strongest partnerships in the EU) will continue not in "a demarche of exclusion," but in an important friendship "for Europe to advance,” though, according to an article on CNN.com, “The German-French linkup has at times contributed to tension within the EU, irritating smaller countries who feel they are not consulted as they once were. An opposition politician in Germany blamed Schroeder [Germany’s leader] and Chirac for undermining support for the constitution by supporting full EU membership for predominantly Muslim Turkey, The Associated Press reports.” Indeed, the tension currently running high in Europe may put the Constitution in a permanent comatose state.

Sources

“BBC News: Are You Bewildered by EU Row?”

“BBC News: EU Constitution: What Happens Next?”

“BBC News: EU Constitution: Where Member States Stand.”

“BBC News: French No an ‘unmistakable message’.”

“BBC News: What the EU Constitution Says.”

“CNN.com: Britian Postpones EU Referendum.”

posted by Marion M. @ 4:53 AM Comments: 1