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European Community: Can this EU Constitution Be Saved?
Guest Column | By Paul M. Weyrich | June 6, 2005
When future historians look at this document, they could think that Europe came into being at the snap of a finger, the sort of political equivalent of the Big Bang theory.
The last time I cheered France was in 1968 when President Charles DeGaulle cracked down on the militant leftists and ridded France of those who had crippled commerce. Since then France has given me few reasons to be cheerful and many reasons not to be cheerful. Last week the voters of France, by a hefty 55% to 45%, rejected the European Community's Constitution. The leader of what was DeGaulle's party, French President Jacques Chirac, was humiliated by that vote. That made the vote all the sweeter.
The voters in the Netherlands, of all places, rejected the EU Constitution by 63%. Never mind that Latvia, through its Parliament, ratified it. Opponents have such momentum that recently re-elected British Prime Minister Tony Blair suggested that the British electorate (which just deprived Mr. Blair of 100 seats in Parliament) should not vote at this time. He is fearful that they too will say "nothing doing."
Of course, the leaders of the European Community which drafted this nearly 500-page document, pretends that everything is fine. Having repeatedly stated for two years that each of the 25 European Community Members had to vote to ratify the EU Constitution either by referendum or through its parliament, they now are singing a different tune. Even though Chirac has a solid majority in Parliament, he wasn't certain of that vote so he left the issue up to the French people. In predictable fashion, we are told that the voters in France who rejected the EU Constitution were uneducated, lacked understanding and were selfish.
One fact was not mentioned: Pope John Paul II, who was widely popular in some areas of France, pleaded with the European Community's drafters to recognize Europe's Christian heritage and the proper role of churches. The drafters refused.
When future historians look at this document, they could think that Europe came into being at the snap of a finger, the sort of political equivalent of the Big Bang theory. There are still enough believers for whom this vote made a difference. Even in the Netherlands, a predominantly Protestant country, a Member of Parliament of the Center-Right Coalition, declared her opposition to the EU Constitution because it failed to honor the Pope's request to recognize Christianity and the churches in Europe. Another Member of Parliament rejected the EU Constitution because it would establish a bureaucratic structure in Brussels, which could dictate to Member Nations what they could or could not do respecting employee benefits and tariffs. Right on.
Critics said that Western Europe created a workers paradise that granted six weeks of vacation, generous sick leave, and universal medical care. There were high wages and still voters were dissatisfied. Yes, because as one Dutch parliamentarian said, "I am against this soulless EU Constitution." In other words, even largely apathetic Christians recognize a Godless document when they see one. In addition, some critics claim there is the "Polish plumber problem." If a homeowner in Europe had leaking pipes, he normally would call a local plumber in his country. But if the EU Constitution is ratified, he could get a Polish plumber when he called for repairs. That plumber could charge considerably less because skilled workers in the former Soviet Bloc are paid less than plumbers in Western Europe are paid. While the consumer likes paying less for plumbing repairs, he doesn't like putting highly- paid local plumbers out of work.
What happens now? One of the EU's biggest supporters, German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, could be voted out of office if elections are held this September, a full year ahead of schedule. It world appear that the CDU/CSU/FDP coalition would tromp over the SPD (Social Democrats)/Green Party Coalition, which has governed in recent years. If a recent vote in one of the German states is any indication consider this: SPD/Greens have ruled for years and the Social Democrats have been in power since 1946, but in this election, the CDU/ FDP Coalition defeated the Socialists by 18 points. The Conservative Coalition has an outright majority in the state parliament for the first time in post-WWII Germany. So if an opponent of the current EU Constitution should get elected in perhaps Europe's most important nation, it would change the whole picture. A year is a long time in politics and anything can happen. The CDU/CSU/FDP Coalition looked like it was poised to oust the SPD/Green Coalition last time. Then Schroeder made the election a referendum on the war in Iraq. Schroeder was re-elected by the narrowest margin. Something similar could happen this time, except the SPD/Green Coalition is vastly more unpopular today then it was several years ago due to lingering double digit unemployment, something unknown in Germany since Hitler came to power in the 1930s.
One honest EU official said in an interview in Brussels suggested that it is back to the drawing board. This same official suggested that one must listen to the voice of the people. Wow! You mean there is someone among the Europe Elitists who still believes in that concept? If some do listen to the "Voice of the People" both in those nations whose voters rejected the EU Constitution and in those nations where Parliament rejected it then perhaps they can craft an EU Constitution which avoids the politically correct provisions of the current one, acknowledges Europe's Christian roots and lets EU Members have some sovereignty. In that case some of the same people, who said "No" this time, could urge passage of a revised Constitution. Meanwhile let us hope that EU officials don't try to force this failed document upon the EU Members. That is a recipe for war.
Paul Weyrich is Chairman and CEO of the Free Congress Foundation.
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