Standpoint on the European constitutional treaty

This article summarizes the standpoint on the European constitutional treaty of various individuals and organizations implied in the debate on the treaty.

In France

A Référendum on the European constitution took place on May 29th, 2005, according to the wish of the president of the Republic, Jacques Chirac.

Positions of the economists

For

Against

Maurice Went, a French economist of liberal claim , but anti-mondialiste, criticized the TCE, while supporting which it was going to lead to a mass unemployment and a destruction of the industrial sectors and agricultural.

Positions of the political parties

The parties are ordered according to their results with the legislative elections of 2002.

Union for a popular movement (UMP)

The Union for a popular movement (UMP) is very favorable to the treaty, because it is according to UMP simpler than the treaties currently in force, more democratic (with a reinforcement of the role of the European Parliament), more effective. The National council of UMP joined together on March 6th, 2005, adopted a motion. 90,8  % of the members of the National council of UMP said yes to this motion and thus to the Constitution. 6,5  % of the members of the National council of UMP said not to this motion and thus to the Constitution. 2,7  % abstained from voting.

Nevertheless, an internal current in UMP gathering 6 deputies out of 365 chose to publicly make countryside for a “Not gaullist and republican”, according to their expression. They are carried out by Nicolas Dupont-Aignan, appointed of the Essonne and leader of the club Debout the Republic .

Christine Boutin also invites to vote “not”. Its movement, the Forum of the social republicans, movement associated with UMP, has at the time of its national Convention on March 13rd, 2005, decided to reject the treaty with 75,88  % of the voices.

Socialist party (PS)

The Socialist party organized on December 1st, 2004 an internal referendum on the European Constitution. The militants voted massively during this consultation (more than 83% of participation) and yes left largely victorious (more than 59% of the voices) whereas at the time of the national referendum which followed, a survey indicates that 56% of the sympathizers of the PS would have voted not.

was expressed for YES the :

was expressed for NONthe

  • the former Prime Minister Laurent Fabius, (deputy and number two of the Socialist party).

Two currents also defended not: New World and New Socialist party .

Finalment Manuel Valls publicly invited to vote yes at the time of the referendum, whereas Henri Emmanuelli and Jean-Luc Mélenchon decided to make countryside against the European constitution publicly. Arnaud Montebourg as for him did not take share in the countryside.

Others also continued to make countryside for not, but specified, with personal capacity, and not of the party:

National front (FN)

The National front is opposed to the treaty in particular because it rejects the European federalism which according to him inspires and in opposition to the entry of Turkey in Europe. This formation regards the possible coming into effect of this treaty as the “founding document of a super-State European”, supposed, according to its optics, to plaster current the State-nations with the row simple “ Länder ” and to deprive the various people of their respective sovereignty to delegate it to a supranational entity seen by this party as being “without heart” (cf in particular intervention of Jean-Marie Le Pen to the the European Parliament on January 12th, 2005).

The FN also reproaches this design of Europe what he regards as ultra-liberalism which, according to its analysis, will put in danger the European economies left without protection vis-a-vis the mondialism (example of the textile) and will lead to a new aggravation of the employment picture.

For precise details on the arguments of the FN, official site with extracts with accompanying notes of the constitution and analyzes.

Union for the French democracy (UDF)

The Union for the French democracy (UDF) confirms its position of partisan of European integration. She considers in addition that the treaty is much better on various plans than the Traité of Nice and declares itself very favorable there.

French Communist party (PCF)

The French Communist party is opposed to the treaty, which appears to him of federal type and whose orientation, in particular on the point following, is according to him too liberal:
  • the total liberalization of the movements of capital,
  • the obligatory opening, according to its analysis, of all the public services and all the state enterprises with competition,
  • of the criteria of convergence which would aim at reducing the welfare expenditures and public.
The treaty was published by Humanity in a version with accompanying notes.

PCF organizes meetings against the constitution where personalities of the associative sector and politicians of left opposed to the constitution are invited, in particular of the PS, Greens, LCR or MRC. It received the support of ATTAC and the Democratic Social union

Greens

In France, the party the Greens organized an internal referendum near the whole of its militants in order to determine the official position of the party. This referendum, preceded by a series by public debates, finished on February 13rd, 2005. Yes carried it to 52,72% compared with 41,98% for not and 5,30% for the abstention.

Communist revolutionary league (LCR)

The various parties of extreme left decided against the treaty which they estimate " antidémocratique" , " ultra-libéral" , " militariste" and carrying social backward flow.
  • LCR takes part in the many collectives created in all France on the basis of the Appel of the 200 for not of left.

Workers' struggle (LO)

  • Workers' struggle, while condemning the treaty, launched out little in the countryside.

Party of the workers

The Parti the workers also conducts a campaign activates for not, and created a National committee for not with the European Constitution .

National republican movement (MNR)

The National republican movement, directed by Bruno Mégret, also rejects the draft treaty, in particular asserting absence of measurements to limit the Union to Europe (in preparation for the adhesion of the Turkey and hypothetical later adhesions, such as for example those of Israel and of the Morocco), of a lack - according to him shouting - provisions to promote “independent and powerful European Europe”, or “unchanged” nature of the European institutions, considered by this formation as being connected with a “gas works”.

Movement for France (MPF)

The Movement for France, started from Philippe de Villiers, is opposed to federal Europe. So the MPF is opposed to the European constitutional treaty.

Gathering for France (RPF)

The Gathering for France, started from Charles Pasqua, is opposed to the European constitutional treaty for the same reasons as the MRC and the MPF.

Hunting, fishing, nature and traditions (CPNT)

The party invites to vote against the treaty.

Radical left party (PRG)

The Radical left party, by the voice of its president Jean-Michel Baylet, senator de Tarn-et-Garonne, approves without reserves the treaty. However, Christiane Taubira, candidate of the PRG to presidential of 2002, made countryside for not.

Republican movement and citizen (MRC)

The Republican movement and citizen, directed by Jean-Pierre Chevènement, are opposed to the current model of European construction. For the MRC, Europe must build itself in a reasoned and democratic way, without encroaching on the democratic sovereignty of the States to the profit, according to him, of the current hyper-centralized organization and its technocrats of Brussels. It is savagely opposite with the European constitutional treaty.

Movement independent ecologist (MEI)

At the time of its National council, March 12th and 13rd 2005, 46% of the advisers of the movement voted yes with the treaty, 40% voted not. Being given the absence of significant variation, the MEI does not give any call to vote.

Federalistic party

PF makes countryside for yes.

While wishing a later evolution towards Europe which would be organized on a definitely federal mode, if need be at several speeds, he regards the treaty as an important step to democratize and facilitate the operation of the EU.

Position of the trade unions

With the difference of the European Confederation of the trade unions which decided for yes, one sees hereafter that into France the trade unions of the employees are divided. Without giving calls to vote, certain authorities supported not, others yes, some being divided enough in-house. For their part, the employers' federations supported yes.

CGT

In February 2005, the national confederal committee (CCN), the “Parliament” of the trade union, recommends the rejection of the European constitution, against the opinion of the general secretary Bernard Thibault who would have wished the absence of call to vote.

CFDT

Favorable to the treaty. Without giving calls to vote, CFDT makes countryside for yes.

  • CFDT supports the constitutional treaty (4 color pages with format pdf)

Working force

Only French trade union to be itself opposite with the treaty within the European Confederation of the trade unions. Faithful to its tradition, the trade union should not give calls to vote, but develops on its Web site of the arguments favorable to not.

UNSA

At the time of its national congress, UNSA decided on March 17th, 2005 to support the constitutional treaty, without to give calls to vote.

CFTC

CFTC carried an favorable opinion on the constitutional treaty, but leaves its free members of their choice and will not give any instruction.

CFE-CGC

The French Conference of framing CGC will not give any call to vote, but its president indicates that it will make countryside for not personally.

The European Public Service Union Interdependent

She clearly decided against this text which she regards as centered on the Economic liberalism, constituting a regression as regards social rights; like not very democratic, contrary with the maintenance of public services and sexist. She estimates that most of the orientations does not have its place in a constitution (even if it is not one, the treaty has this function), but raises of policy options of the citizens who must be able to be modified.

Components of the European Public Service Union (CUS Studied, SUD Rail, South-postal and telecommunications authorities, SNUI…) conduct a campaign of information on the subject.

  • a document on the position Interdependent

FNSEA

The main trade union of farmers will not give any call to vote. Its president indicates that with in an individual capacity he will vote yes.

Peasant confederation

The trade union clearly decided for not and made countryside in this direction.

FSU

Without giving calls to vote explicitly, the teaching trade-union main organization invites to reject the constitutional treaty. She expressed her “deep dissension” and condemned the project. She speaks about “set up competition in theory of organization of the company”, of a “liberal design of the public services” and “Social dumping and tax”.

UNEF

This studied trade union invites to vote not.

Confederation coed

The confederation coed decides in favor of this treaty.

Trade union federation coed

Decided for not with the constitution.

MEDEF

By the voice of her president Ernest-Antoine Seilliere, the employers' main organization clearly decided for “yes”.

Elsewhere in Europe, some trade unions for not

In Germany IG Metall decided for not with the constitution.

In Belgium the general Federation of the work of Belgium (FGTB), is opposed to the constitution project.

Associations

Attac

Is opposed to the project, for its orientation which the movement describes as clearly liberal. Attac also points many points of the text, considered as incoherent.

In France, the organization announced its fear to the various parties, some answered it. An important analysis of the text is proposed, it is pointed there that the treaty prohibits the Taxe Tobin, one of the great proposals of Attac. Reasons of Attac

Foundation Copernic

Opposed to the project. It is on the initiative of the Appel of the 200 , regrouping of personalities, political parties, trade unions and associations calling with a not left .

Europe - Democracy - Esperanto

EDE notes with satisfaction that the TCE:

  • states like belonging to the objectives of the EU the respect of the richness of its cultural diversity and linguistics (I-3-3 article)
  • quotes the right to write at the institutions in one languages of the Union and to receive an answer in the same language. (article II-101-4)
  • and prohibited, within the institutions and bodies of the Union, any discrimination based in particular on (…) the language (…). (Article II-81)

EDE deplores that the TCE:

  • does not envisage to fight the linguistic discrimination (articles III-118 and III-124) increasingly practiced in the European institutions.
  • only speaks “to respect” and not to guarantee or promote linguistic and cultural diversity.

Without linguistic tool adapted, like Esperanto, the EU will not be able to work effectively. We notice moreover that the Constitution suggested does not give to the Parliament the right to establish nor to propose laws, basic right in any democracy. These 2 points worry us as for the democratic operation of Europe under this Constitution. However, as all these provisions appeared already in the preceding treaties, EDE considers that they constitute neither a projection, nor a retreat, and does not give a call to vote on the referendum.

Young Europeans - France

Engaged in favor of the construction of federal Europe, association makes countryside in favor of Yes by underlining what it estimates to be its “notable projections to support”. It underlines nevertheless the “gaps” of the treaty: maintenance of the rule of the unanimity in many fields, multiplication of the possibilities of forming minorities of blocking, maintenance of a procedure of revision unanimously as well as the absence of definition specifies consequences of the rejection of the Treaty by one or more Member States. Standpoint of Young Europeans - France. Young Europeans take part in an associative collective “Whole for Yes” which will organize several events during the countryside.

In Denmark

The Denmark will organize a referendum on the the Treaty of Rome of 2004 as on all the European treaties until now.

Position of the various parties

The majority of the political parties Danish are favorable to the new European treaty. This list details the position of all the parties present at the Danish Parliament (179 seats in all) in January 2005.

Liberal party

The liberal party ( Venstre ) is, with 56 seats at the Parliament, the principal party of the coalition of the Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen. It logically supports the treaty establishing a European constitution.

Social democrat party

The democratic social party ( Socialdemokratiet ), principal party of opposition, also supports the European constitution. It is for the first time since the Second world war the second Danish party and holds 52 seats at the Parliament.

Party of the Danish people

The party of the Danish people ( Dansk Folkparti , populist extreme-right-hand side) is the greatest party opposed to the new European treaty. It holds 22 seats at the Parliament and takes part in the government coalition.

Preserving popular party

The conservative party ( Det Konservative Folkeparti ) is with 16 seats at the Parliament more the small part of the coalition to the capacity. As the Venstre it supports the European constitution.

Socialist popular party

The socialist popular party ( Socialistisk Folkeparti ) opposed the entry of Denmark in the European Union in 1972 then with the treaty of Maastricht and the euro. At the time of an internal referendum in December 2004, 63,8% of its militants decided in favor of the new treaty.

Party social-liberal

The party social-liberal ( Det Radikale Venstre , center-right) supports the European constitution. It holds 9 seats at the Parliament.

Plain left

The plain left ( Enhedslisten ) is a federation of small parts of left. It holds 4 seats at the Parliament. Opposed to the entry of Denmark in the European Union and NATO, it is logically against the new European constitution.

Democratic Christians

The Christian Democrats ( Kristendemokraterne ) hold 4 seats at the Parliament and are opposed to the European constitution.

With the Netherlands

Not carried it at the time of the référundum. Two unit, for different reasons, made countryside for not: the extreme right-hand side, which based its countryside on reasons largely external with the treaty, and radical left, mainly the Socialist party.

In Great Britain

European parties

For

Against

  • European Unified left, Scandinavian green left

See too

Related articles

External bond

  • founders of the European Union

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