French voters have overwhelmingly rejected the European Union’s proposed constitution in a key referendum.
Almost 55% of people voted “No”, with 45% in favour. Turnout was high, at about 70%.
The vote could deal a fatal blow to the EU constitution, which needs to be ratified by all 25 member states.
President Jacques Chirac accepted the voters’ sovereign decision and said that he had noted it and intends to respond.
It appears that his reponse will come as a government shakeup with strong signs that the prime minister will be replaced.
I haven’t read all of the proposed EU constitution, but I have read some of the main points it deals with, and most of it seemed quite logical.
Anyway, it’s not my decision to make, it’s that of the French people, and they have spoken for themselves.
Personally, I admire how European countries are building their union, and how they do it step by step and always include the people in the decisions. It’s amazing, and I wish Arabs could learn a lesson from Europe and I’m not talking about Arab unity here, I’m talking about a real democratic process, I’m talking about putting step-by-step programs and plans for the future, I’m talking about putting the will of the people first. That’s what’s really important.
About Arabs i think your hopes may occur in a virtual reality. in the real one, unfotunately, arabs are underdeveloped, hundred of miles away from civilisation and humanist values of freedom, democracy and solidarity.
And this is not masochism…
i’m optimistic in one case : that a big genetic manipulation or several natural phenomena (such as earthquakes, typhoons and tidal waves…) completely destroy our countries with a hope that newer generations come out with new values of knowledge, democracy, freedom, tolerance…
i’m sorry but only such shocking opinions may lead arabs to be conscious of their dramatic actual situation…