France and EU

By Dr Nasima Zaman Department of Political Science University of Rajshahi
16 June 2005, 18:00 PM
France, being one of the founder-members of the EU and the dreamer of the United Europe, has rejected the daft EU constitutional treaty through Sunday's stunning referendum. The French 'non-vote' would further weaken the 25-nation bloc. The EU constitution, signed in Rome last October, notably proposes creating a long-term presidency to replace the current musical-chairs leadership and an EU foreign minister to give the bloc a single voice to the outside world. But the French rejection might plunge the bloc into a prolonged period of introspection on its future direction, threatening to thwart the decision-making gridlock in the expanding bloc. The 'non' vote testifies the French reservation of a Europe based more on social justice rather then just euro-economy.

Therefore, the EU's road would be bumpy without the ratification of its constitution.