From the IHT:
French voters dealt a crushing defeat to the European constitution on Sunday, demonstrating their determination to punish the leaders of France and of Europe after a bitter campaign that split the country in two.
With nearly 83 percent of the votes counted, the French Interior Ministry said the no camp had 57.26 percent, compared with 42.74 for the yes.
The result created a major challenge for the European Union, which has staked its future on the constitution.
But the most immediate impact was felt at home. The rejection undermined President Jacques Chirac and threw into disarray the opposition Socialist Party, which was split on the issue.
Chirac addressed the nation 30 minutes after the result was announced. "My dear compatriots," he said, "France has spoken democratically. A majority of you have rejected the constitution. This is your sovereign decision."
However, he added, "France's decision inevitably creates a difficult context for defending our interests in Europe."
It also makes you look like a horse's ass, don't it Jackie? Hey buddy, ever heard of a "focus group"? Maybe they don't teach that at the ecole nationale d'administration. "Counterweight" indeed!
Couldn't have happened to nicer guy.
UPDATE: David Ignatius of the WaPo writes:
France's stunning rejection Sunday of a new European constitution was, most of all, a noisy protest against the disruptive, leveling force of economic globalization. You could see that in television images of the "no" voters as the result was announced -- burly arms raised in the air, fists cocked -- as if by rejecting a set of technical amendments to European rules they could hold back a threatening future.
And you could see the result on the faces of the losers -- glum establishment politicians being interviewed after the vote, trying to put a brave spin on a devastating defeat. For this no vote had been opposed by nearly all the luminaries of the French political class in both the socialist and conservative parties.
It was a no that resonated on many levels: a rejection of the document and the wider Europe it came to symbolize, a rejection of a market-driven way of life that's taken for granted in America, and above all a rejection of President Jacques Chirac, who tried to trick and cajole France into embracing the realities of the global economy, rather than forthrightly explaining them.
Fear of the future is always a powerful political force, and one that often has unfortunate consequences. And it's hard in this case to see much positive coming out of the French no. Europe will go on as before, but European politicians will be tempted to waste even more time soft-pedaling the fact of global competition rather than helping their people adapt and change.
Chirac will be a chief victim of Sunday's vote, and he richly deserves the scorn that will be shoveled his way. His mistake was far larger than what commentators were citing Sunday night: his decision to put the constitution to a vote even though that wasn't technically necessary. Chirac's real failure was his inability over two terms as president to level with the French people about the changes that are needed to protect the way of life they cherish. He played games with economic reform -- tiptoeing up to the edge and then pulling back at any sign of public displeasure.
There really are two targets of scorn here. The fool Chirac, for thinking that he was cleverer than he really is, but also the French people. The latter for "fearing the future", and the former for fearing the consquences of telling ugly truths to his people.
UPDATE, PART DEUX: Best. Headline. Ever.
France and Europe limp on after French 'No'
tsk-tsk. The French can be so disagreeable.
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