Mandelson: EU may need ‘new consensus’ after French vote

There is “no appetite” to renegotiate an EU constitution but there is centre-ground for a new consensus, Peter Mandelson has said.

France’s May 29 rejection of the EU constitution has thrown the future of the European treaty into doubt.

UK trade commissioner Mandelson does not believe that EU leaders have the stomach to reopen horse trading on the current draft text.
 
“I don’t think there is any appetite for renegotiating the treaty,” he said.

“If it is not possible to go ahead with this treaty, I hope member states will ratify, but if not, our priority must be to create a new consensus about the way forward.”

Striking a different tone from European Commission President José Manuel Barroso, Mandelson appears to be suggesting a ‘plan B’.

He argues that should the French ‘non’ be an obstacle to the EU constitution Europe should seek a “new consensus”.

EU leaders could set out a vision of Europe’s policy direction and then draw up a fresh institutional blueprint.

“I think that consensus on the centre ground is there to be mobilised. One that rejects the populism of left and right,” he said.

Mandelson noted that future ratifications – including a British vote – would depend on whether the EU constitution was still viable.

“There will be a period of reflection,” he said early on Monday morning.

“If there is a constitutional treaty to ratify, I am confident it will be put to British people in a referendum.”

UK foreign minister Jack Straw also appeared to suggest that the EU needed a rethink.

“This raises profound questions for all of us about the future direction of Europe,” he said.

“What we want now is a period of reflection.”

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