Last month when we were in Ireland, they had a national referendum on the European Union’s Lisbon Treaty. Ireland voted NO, with 53% against - thus blocking the treaty, which required approval by all 27 EU countries.
Now Sarkozy, the president of France, has said that Ireland should revote. Needless to say, this has caused a furor in Ireland. The leader of Sinn Fein called it “deeply insulting”.
The vote was a big deal. The Lisbon Treaty is the successor to the failed EU Constitution, which was voted down by France and the Netherlands in 2005. Back to the drawing board, and they came up with a new version, called the Lisbon Treaty. This time, people in France and the Netherlands didn’t get to vote — their governments just approved it for them. This time, the only country that gave their citizens the right to vote on it was Ireland, and those citizens said no.
It’s understandable that other EU leaders are frustrated that the Irish threw a monkey wrench into their plans. But for Sarkozy to say that Ireland has to vote again seems less than diplomatic.
The clear subtext is “You people got it wrong - keep doing it over until you get it right.” That’s going to go over well, isn’t it?
And for NO voters who fear giving too much control to heavy-handed foreign leaders without their best interests at heart — well, this gives them an example to point to.
A comment on the BNP blog summed up some people’s feelings:
Perhaps we can also have a re-run of the French Presidential Elections as well - to get ‘the right’ result?”
AFP: Sarkozy call for second EU vote provokes storm in Ireland
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We were in Ireland for our annual women’s tour to Ireland, and happened to be there during the referendum. The country was plastered with Yes and No signs, and it turned out the No’s won. It will be interesting to watch what happens from here!
6 responses so far ↓
1 Ralf Grahn // Jul 20, 2008 at 8:49 pm
Well, it is an oversimplification to say that just the governments of France and the Netherlands approved the Lisbon Treaty for their citizens.
In both countries both chambers of the national parliaments have approved the Lisbon Treaty according to the existing constitutional requirements.
National governments, all 27 of them, have negotiated and signed the Treaty of Lisbon.
2 Viva // Jul 21, 2008 at 9:26 am
Interesting article and well written. There is no such thing as a “do over” in voting unless the entire process was somehow subverted in the first place. That does not appear to be the case here.
3 Candace // Jul 21, 2008 at 10:15 am
Typical of the French. They want it their way and God help anyone who stands in the way of them having things their way.
4 Cathy // Jul 21, 2008 at 7:35 pm
My feeling is that the Irish people have spoken. What sense does it make to put something to a vote and then demand that people vote only a certain way? A revote is absurd unless the treaty is amended. I applaud the Irish not because they said “No” to the treaty but for having the courage to vote their minds. Thanks for the interesting article.
5 lindsay // Jul 23, 2008 at 6:10 am
wow, very interesting. I can understand why the UN would want them to revote, but the fact that they have been asked to is less than democratic.
6 Amanda // Jul 23, 2008 at 9:38 am
I am not a big fan of the French. It seems to me that they always stick their nose up to everyone.
God Bless the Irish for standing up for themselves.
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