By Elinor Blair - 9th September 2004
Former French premier Laurent Fabius has given a blow to his country’s chances of ratifying the EU’s proposed constitution.
The 2007 presidential hopeful said in a television interview on Thursday night that his support for the text relied on whether president Chirac would push through four changes to compensate for the constitution’s “grave shortcomings”.
Fabius said the president should ensure that the text provides for the protection of public services, the reformation of the Stability and Growth Pact, tax harmonisation across the 25 members and that plans to cut the EU budget are stopped.
"For many years Europe has been adrift. We do not know where its boundaries are; the Franco-German couple no longer moves forward; Europe does things financially, but socially it's at a dead end," he told viewers.
Fabius said that he is asking for a, "new economic policy to be put in place at the European level on the issue of employment and to fight against the outsourcing of jobs”.
Before the constitution can come into force it must be formally adopted in all 25 member states either through parliamentary vote, or by referendum.
As one of the biggest players in the EU, France’s vote, which is set to take place in the second half of 2005, is crucial.
Voting on the Maastricht Treaty in 1992, the French delivered a close draw with 51% for the text and 48% against.
Have your say...
Please enter your comments below.