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Europe

French deputies adopt 'constitutional' change for EU treaty

2008-01-21

Sneer quotes are mine.

French deputies adopted Wednesday a revision of the country's constitution to allow a new EU reform treaty to be ratified by parliament, despite criticism that it should be voted on in a referendum.

"Trust us. It's For the Children (TM)."

The measure was adopted by a vote of 304 to 77, with 100 lawmakers choosing to abstain. The Senate must next vote on the text January 29, before its final adoption by both houses on February 4.

The opposition Socialist Party previously announced it would abstain from the vote on the 'constitutional' amendment, arguing the EU treaty should be ratified by referendum. "Our vote doesn't reflect the content of the treaty," Socialist lawmaker Jean-Jacques Urvoas said, noting the majority of the party backed the text in an internal vote -- although a number of party members oppose it.

Signed in Lisbon last month, the EU charter aims to streamline decision-making of the 27-member bloc, replacing a more ambitious EU constitution that was rejected by French and Dutch voters in referenda in 2005.

France's Communist Party has denounced as a "coup d'etat" the government's decision to ratify it by parliamentary vote, judging the new EU document no different than the past one.

I never thought I'd agree with Commies, but I've made *one* exception. This being it.

But the ruling Union for a Popular Movement party overwhelmingly backs the treaty, which was seen as a victory for President Nicolas Sarkozy, who pushed for it after his election in May.

Once they adopt the 'constitutional' change, the National Assembly and the Senate are expected to ratify the Lisbon treaty in early February.

Posted by:Seafarious

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