Chirac makes crisis address over EU Constitution

by brian_turner

In a 10-minute television address to the French people on Thursday, president Jacques Chirac said that a united Europe could better deal with issues of terrorism, as well as with environmental and economic challenges, as he urged a “yes” vote on the European constitution in a referendum to be held Sunday.

He contended that a “no” vote would lead to a breakdown of European unity.

His address was prompted by polls which indicate that the majority of French voters plan to vote “no” on the constitution.

This perceived opposition has sent the euro to its lowest levels in seven months.

Mr. Chirac has only made four other national television addresses of this kind in the ten years of his presidency, the most recent two after the 9/11 attacks in the United States and at the beginning of the war in Iraq.

Meanwhile, the secretary of the Socialist party in France is also urging a “yes” vote in the referendum, telling voters that they need to separate their discontent with government at home from their position as Europeans.

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