The Hindu : Opinion / Letters to the Editor : The French `Non'

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Wednesday, Jun 01, 2005

Opinion

Opinion - Letters to the Editor

The French `Non'

The result of the French referendum on the European Constitution has stunned the old and new Europe alike. The European Union's authority stands eroded after the French `Non.' One thing is clear. The EU leaders had gone far ahead in their mission leaving the people behind. For the French, who are essentially French rather than European, the EU was acceptable when it was formed and developed as a Franco-centric conglomerate. For them, further expansion of the Union meant dilution of the French leadership and culture, besides a threat to economy and job security.

K.X.M. John,
Kochi, Kerala

* * *

The result of the referendum did not come as a surprise. But the resounding `no' has underscored a few points, which the advocates of free market economy forget too frequently. Nationalism is not a dead letter in the post-modern vocabulary of globalisation.

Though an expanded EU has instilled a new European identity, national and regional identities and quality of life rank higher among the French priorities. Their fear of an influx of cheap labour and loss of opportunities is not entirely unfounded.

Most significantly, the French `no' has reinforced the point that there is still room for a rethink to shatter the myth that states have no go other than pooling their sovereignty and being content with what they get in the deal.

S.S. Kumar,
Ernakulam, Kerala

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