Notre Europe's viewpoint | 01/04/2005 

The surge in support for a "no" in the opinion polls has at last stimulated the campaign in France for the referendum on the draft Constitutional Treaty. At last! Will two months give us enough time to reflect, to exchange views and to hold dialogue? It must be a time for forming convictions on the basis of the arguments for and against, a time for weighing up, individually or collectively, as French people or as Europeans, what we stand to gain or lose on 29 May.

Notre Europe hopes that these two months will be an opportunity for genuine analysis, just as it has been hoping for a debate. Like many others, we have often lamented the lack of debate on Europe. We have tried to remedy this by encouraging reflection, putting forward ideas, analyses and proposals. That is our mission.

Over the weeks to come, we are going to work for a "yes' vote.

Not out of disrespect for the positions in favour of a "no". There are good arguments on the "no" side. And they deserve consideration. But because, all things considered, "a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush". What is being put to the voters for their consideration is a compromise. Do we believe it to be the best possible compromise? No. Is it the best we could have hoped for, given the relationship between the political forces around the table in the European Council who have held on to the power to draw up the constitution for so long and, as such, have had to reach decisions unanimously? Yes, for the time being. And we believe that this world, in which globalisation is on the increase, needs a Europe that is moving forward. The United States of America, China, India, are not going to wait for us. So we need both substance and energy. We have the substance. The energy depends on the voters. Should we move further to the right or further to the left? That is not the issue on 29 May.

Between now and that date, we must take the time to reflect. This is a time for reason to temper the emotion of the moment, a time to consider what is at stake. The movement that was launched 50 years ago now, and which has moved forward step by step, must not be brought to a halt on a sudden impulse!

For more information on the text of the Constitutional Treaty and its main issues between now and 29 May, please consult our heading "Constitutional Treaty", which can be accessed via the link "Current topics".