French lawmakers say yes to EU treaty after voters' 2005 no

[Robbien]

Source: AP

PARIS (AP) - Lawmakers, mending wounds left by France's 2005 no vote, which helped bury the proposed European Union constitution, voted Thursday to ratify a slimmed-down treaty meant to get the union moving again.

That would make France the fifth country _ and the largest so far _ to ratify the document, which would give the 27-nation union a long-term president and streamline its decision-making process.

. . .

The treaty's backers were led by Sarkozy's conservative UMP party, which holds a strong parliamentary majority. The opposition Socialists, who split in the 2005 vote, were divided again: 121 supported ratification, but 25 voted against and 59 did not participate.

Hungary, Romania, Slovenia and Malta have already ratified the treaty _ all in parliamentary votes rather than referenda. Sarkozy has been eager for France to ratify before it takes over the rotating EU presidency in July.

The treaty might not sail so smoothly through the other 22 EU nations, which must approve it for it to come into force _ EU leaders hope in 2009.

Read more: http://www.pr-inside.com/french-lawmakers-say-yes-to-eu-r427219.htm

[ck4829]

1. Sexual Offenders and Politicians

Two groups of people who apparently can't understand that no means no.