Hand of US Neocons Seen Behind Irish 'No'

(AP) - On the second try, Ireland has delivered "a convincing win" for the European Union's reform treaty, Irish Foreign Minister Micheal Martin said today, with the "yes" vote running about 60% nationwide in early returns. "I'm absolutely delighted for the country. It looks like a convincing win on this occasion," he said. "It's good for Ireland, because I do passionately believe our future is in the European Union and there was no real reason to vote no." More»

Sarkozy concerned by Ireland's rejection of central treaty

(NEWSER) - French President Nicolas Sarkozy said yesterday that “profound” changes are needed in Europe's strategy for growth as his nation takes over the helm of the EU, reports AFP. “There have been errors in the way that Europe has been built,” Sarkozy noted in the wake of Ireland’s vote against a major EU treaty. Many Europeans fear unification will worsen the negative effects of globalization, he says. "Something isn't right." More»

French president could be be key to European constitution

(NEWSER) - Hours after Nicolas Sarkozy became president of France, both Germany and Britain began wooing him—Germany to win his support for a European constitution, Britain to secure his opposition to it. Sarkozy immediately huddled with Angela Merkel, the German chancellor who has been lobbying hold-outs with one-on-one talks, the London Times reports. More»

At odds with Germany over ECB, deflation, budget enforcement

(NEWSER) - French President Nicolas Sarkozy yesterday called for changing the eurozone treaty to make a tighter, stronger union, and demanded more budget discipline, increased help for foundering economies, and replacing countries' veto rights with qualified majorities, reports Reuters . He also called for the European Central Bank to be more interventionist and fight possible deflation. "Let us not hide it, Europe may be swept away by the crisis if it doesn't get a grip, if it doesn't change," he warned. "We don't have the right to let such a disaster happen." More»

New concerns (and rumors) center on Portugal, Spain

(NEWSER) - Authorities across Europe rejected a report that a Portuguese bailout would cut the risk of Spain needing similar action, the Wall Street Journal reports. A German paper had cited German finance ministers in the matter, but the ministry, Portugal, Spain, and the European Commission all said Portugal wasn’t being pushed to ask for such assistance. Still, worries centered on Spain and Portugal prompted European markets to plunge. More»