French to have referendum on Europe…..the Turkish bit May 20, 2008
Posted by franklittle in European Politics, European Union.trackback
Among the arguments the No campaign have been able to deploy on Lisbon the undemocratic nature of the EU project has been one of the strongest. Supporters of the EU project make no bones about denying that their opposition to referendums on EU Treaties is based in large part on their belief that the people might vote against them. Figure out ways to avoid letting the people have their say, and we’re half-way to the neo-liberal Fortress Europe that the EU Commission has been moving us towards for a number of years.
But the French are considering a plan that would have them hold a referendum in a very unique set of circumstances. According to the EU Observer this Thursday the French Parliament will debate an amendment that would require a referendum to approve the accession of any country that might join the EU which has a population that surpasses five percent of the existing EU population. In other words, a country with a population of over 25 million people.
Turkey, who have been hovering around EU entry for years despite their appalling human rights record, has a population of 71 million people. Most of the leading candidate countries of the moment like Bosnia or Croatia come well under the line. Although the limit would also cause a problem for the Ukranians, they’re a little further away. The French Socialist Party has opposed the proposal on the grounds that it’s a clear swipe at the Turks but according to the Observer piece Sarkozy, who is strongly opposed to the entry of our Turlish friends, has given his blessing to the project.
Interesting isn’t it? The possibility of letting Turks into Europe requires a referendum. But no such vote is required to overturn the French Non of 2005.
It’s very sneaky, although it does seem to really be something indigenous to French political debate – which surely to some degree gives some credence to the point that whatever about elites manipulating the discussion on these issues national parliamentary sovereignty remains central.
There is definitely a touch of fortress Europe about it. Would not it be nice if there was an agreement about say a Human Rights standard. The worst thing about the expansion seems to be the necessity of first joining NATO or at least the perception of this. It might ease the current Russian paranoia if NATO dissolved or was put on the back burner. Likewise the various semi NATO thing the EU is playing with.All this does is cause paranoia and a restart of the arms race.
I am probably naieve but it sickens me to see poor Eastern European states go into hock to beef up their armies. If they concentarted on their economies and services they might need less security.
Hopefully a solution to Cyprus migh ease the tension between Greece and Turkey to the benefit of all.
I know it would upset the Limerick general but I can see no real reason for the Irish Army being its current size.