For now, at any rate, the Nordic countries are to continue with the ratification process. We will see how this eveolves as the days pass.
We naturally respect the decision of the French people but it is crucial that Danes be allowed make their own decision in the autumn,” Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Denmark’s prime minister said.
There would be no change of plans should Dutch voters also reject the treaty on Wednesday, he added
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Goran Persson, Sweden’s prime minister, described the French result as “a severe setback for the treaty” but pledged to continue the Swedish ratification process.
Matti Vanhanen, the Finnish prime minister, said he would proceed with the ratification process and expressed hope that other EU states would do likewise.
To be expected. They’d be crazy to take the blame for pulling the plug.
Yes, Oliver, but political leadership is sometimes about calling things by their names.
Blair, btw, doesn’t seem to have the same reservations. The worst thing would be to keep the whole debate behind closed doors, and then make an announcement after the June summit, once more leaving the voters stuck outside the tent.
Sure, but the EU is supposed to have a responsible leadership. It is their task. And of course, in theory the members are equal, in practice …
Tony Blair would get away with declaring the constitution dead. A scandinavian prime minister would face real trouble.
It would be furthermore unreasonable to expect a decision before the Dutch vote.