EU Divided in Wake of Ireland's 'No' Vote

Rejection could kill reform plans
By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff
Posted Jun 14, 2008 12:55 PM CDT
EU Divided in Wake of Ireland's 'No' Vote
Voters cast their ballots in a pollling centre in Dublin city center Thursday, June 12 2008.    (AP Photo/ Peter Morrison)

Irish voters' rejection of a treaty to reform the EU has left the bloc in turmoil, the BBC reports. France, Germany, and Britain say EU countries should continue to ratify the Lisbon Treaty, while the Czech president declared it dead. Fourteen of the 27 EU countries have approved the agreement, which needs unanimous support to pass; Ireland was the the only one to hold a referendum.

The plan was designed to beef up the body's effectiveness after absorbing 12 new members since 2004. Aggravating the situation is the fact that time is short: The treaty was to go into effect in 2009. In a regular summit next week, EU leaders will decide how to move forward; one possibility is a second Irish vote after some tweaking of the treaty. (More Treaty of Lisbon stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X