55.6% say "Non"

[Miki]

Whoops, how long now until the EC have to take a long hard look at the way forward for Europe ?

[Deby]

Tis a big N O to Chirac and his merry men!!

Did you see him on the news. Backtracking, whatever will be next.

He will probably go on holiday next week.

Deby (Charente Maritime)

[BJSLIV]

Its certainly a big no, and a shock to the French elite, but what does it mean?

The no vote came from the alliance of Le Pen and De Villiers supporters who have never wanted anything to do with the EU, combining with many of the (Old Labour?) socialists who want more French style social protection. Chirac on the other hand portrayed the constitution as a bastion against UK style liberalism, the (soon to be ex?) Prime Minister said it was a response to those who only wanted unbridled markets.

How can you make something out of that?

So it will be down to the UK Prime Minister to try to cobble something together during his forthcoming Presidency of the EU.

Should be interesting!

[letrangere]

The no vote came from the alliance of Le Pen and De Villiers supporters who have never wanted anything to do with the EU, combining with many of the (Old Labour?) socialists who want more French style social protection.

The above represents a sizeable body of support in France.  But surely to get 55% of the vote, a lot of people in the middle must have shared their views on this issue?  M

[Simon]

My french neighbour was a "Non", talking to him about it it struck me that the reasons he was giving were nothing to do with the actual constition document. Sad day for Europe.

regards

Simon

[Tresco]

My french neighbour was a "Non", talking to him about it it struck me that the reasons he was giving were nothing to do with the actual constition document.

That's the impression I got too, that people were using the referendum to punish the Govt for the scandales, high unemployment, and particularly for supporting the entry of Turkey into the EU

Anyway, its Raffarin who has fallen on his sword. (just)

[zeb]

Yes, and we have a new PM (although people I was chatting to in the bar the other night hadn't a clue who the old one was)!

[BJSLIV]

The experts have been saying that the Non was a message from the French people who feel that the Top Dogs are out of touch with ordinary folk.

So Jacques has apointed Dominique De Villepin who was a career diplomat, and has never stood in any election.

So that must have sorted the problem of reconnecting with The People  once and for all.

 

[Tourangelle]

... but the radio is reporting the return of super Sarko to the interior ministry, perhaps to soften the blow.

But seriously, Chirac must be thinking in terms of Europe, Villepin speaks excellent English and Spanish, because really otherwise he seems like a very odd choice. I mean can Villepin really be in touch with those that voted no in the referendum as a protest against the government? Superficially he seems slightly less of a guignol than Rafferin, though.

[Richardbk]

"but the radio is reporting the return of super Sarko to the interior ministry"

This is the real story... Sarko was almost certainly asked but said no - his main aim is the presidency. In any case as PM he would have demanded that Chirac take a back seat role. Chirac probably pleaded with Sarko who then took the job of interior minister. Sarko is playing the long game - This is in order to build up his good relations with the police and the internal justice system- the reason is simple and as with Margaret Thatcher - when he becomes president and he pushes forward his more radical(for France) policies he will need the support of the law and police to overcome the left and the unions....we can expect some turbulent times ahead.

regs

Richard

 

 

[Teamedup]

Interior Minister again.........and I used to think Charlie Pasqua was frightening.

 Feels like, 'well, you wouldn't agree with us so we'll bring in some bourgeoisie PM (unelected, unknown) and someone who will prepare the storm troopers'.

And this is what the french nation wants? Don't really think that the 'non' vote was to start this chain of events.

[JohnM]

[quote]Hello I think we could put up with a bit of turbulence to smash the unions once and for all. It's about time someone came foreward to kick the grubby little commies up the butt. Regards John[/quote]

I'm not really in a position to give an unbiased opinion as I've never been in a union and (at my age) probably never will be, but I'm not sure the unions should be smashed. I don't want them too strong, but I don't want them too weak either. They do have a very important role (as long as they remember what that role is and don't get too big for their boots).

 

[Sprogster]

Apparently,the younger and better educated the voter, the higher the percentage that voted"Oui".

For example of voters with a University education 68% voted "Oui".

[Sprogster]

Apparently,the younger and better educated the voter, the higher the percentage that voted"Oui".

For example of voters with a University education 68% voted "Oui".

[Sprogster]

Apparently,the younger and better educated the voter, the higher the percentage that voted"Oui".

For example of voters with a University education 68% voted "Oui".

[letrangere]

"Ce Non francais est un non du a l'ignorance , a l'esprit etroit des francais , a leur incapacite a regarder au-dela de leurs frontieres , a leur arrogance , a leur nombrilisme."

 

That's a university educated French girlfriend writing to me yesterday.  Love the reference to their "nombrilisme"...  M

 

[Tourangelle]

I think the quote MWJ has put in is quite harsh, I mean it is very easy when life is going well to look at issues with a broad mind.

Although it is true that in an ideal world people would go to a referendum to answer the question and only the question, it is hardly surprising that those who are unemployed and so on take the opportunity to go against the government and express their dissatisfaction.

That doesn't seem like navel gazing to me, perhaps if as much effort had been put into solving France's problems as was put into the campaign for the yes vote then this would not have happened. Interestingly enough Neil Kinnock on the Today program yesterday put forward the idea that there would not have been a referendum had Chirac made a better job of the treaty of Nice.