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Irish Vote Could Make Stew of European Unity

Thumbs-down on Thursday would derail years of negotiations

By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff

Posted Jun 10, 2008 11:00 AM CDT
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(Newser) – European Union reformers are aghast at the possibility that Irish voters could derail years of negotiations Thursday with a rejection of the constitution-like Lisbon Treaty, the Financial Times reports. Ireland is alone among the EU's 27 members in offering citizens a referendum on the treaty, which streamlines and consolidates EU power. The treaty must be ratified unanimously to take effect.

European leaders have thus far declined to meddle with the Irish vote, but France's foreign minister warned yesterday that the rest of the EU would look at Ireland with "gigantic incomprehension" if it voted no. Ireland has received large cash infusions from the EU, and its boom economy was made possible by EU integration. Polls for several Irish papers have given conflicting predictions.

A cyclist passes graffiti urging a 'NO' vote in Ireland's forthcoming referendum on the Lisbon Treaty, in Dublin yesterday.
A cyclist passes graffiti urging a 'NO' vote in Ireland's forthcoming referendum on the Lisbon Treaty, in Dublin yesterday.   (AP Photo)
Voting began yesterday in four islands off the coast of Ireland on the referendum on the Treaty of Lisbon. The Irish mainland will begin voting on Thursday.
Voting began yesterday in four islands off the coast of Ireland on the referendum on the Treaty of Lisbon. The Irish mainland will begin voting on Thursday.   (AP Photo)
Irish politicians at a joint press conference in Dublin, to call for a Yes vote in the forthcoming Lisbon treaty referendum. The fate of the European Union's ambitious charter for reform lies in the hands of Ireland's voters.
Irish politicians at a joint press conference in Dublin, to call for a Yes vote in the forthcoming Lisbon treaty referendum. The fate of the European Union's ambitious charter for reform lies in the hands...   (AP Photo)
Ireland's Prime Minister Brian Cowen leaves a press conference yesterday in Dublin, where he called for a 'Yes' vote in the forthcoming Lisbon treaty referendum.
Ireland's Prime Minister Brian Cowen leaves a press conference yesterday in Dublin, where he called for a 'Yes' vote in the forthcoming Lisbon treaty referendum.   (AP Photo)
The European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana, center, poses for a photo with Portuguese Prime Minister Jose Socrates and Foreign Minister Luis Amado outside Lisbon's 16th century Jeronimos Monastery after signing the EU's Treaty of Lisbon Thursday, Dec. 13 2007.
The European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana, center, poses for a photo with Portuguese Prime Minister Jose Socrates and Foreign Minister Luis Amado outside Lisbon's 16th century Jeronimos Monastery...   (AP Photo/Armando Franca)
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Political opponents come together to press for Yes
Irish Times (Ireland)

Complete coverage from Irish TV
RTE (Ireland)

Background on the Lisbon Treaty
BBC

 
European Union • Ireland • Bernard Kouchner • Treaty of Lisbon • European president

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