No vote 'not real'

Alternattiva Demokratika believes that the no vote expressed by the French and Dutch electorates on the EU Constitution has to be respected since it reflects the democratic will of the people in these two countries.

Arnold Cassola, AD spokesman on EU Affairs and secretary general of the European Green Party, said it is however evident that this "no" is not a real "no" against the Constitution but a clear vote of protest against the internal policies of the national governments of France and the Netherlands.

The citizens of these countries are protesting against the neo-liberal policies of their governments, which are leading to increased unemployment, lack of security, of spending power and instability in general, Prof. Cassola maintained.

He said politicians and the institutions in Europe have failed to explain the real importance of the Constitution for a stronger Europe in a globalised world, where individual nations - even big ones like Germany and France - can no longer keep the pace, on their own, of the US and the emerging colossuses, China and India.