Simon Tisdall (June 2): A lesson from the voters that must be heeded (EU)

[Jack Rabbit]

From the Guardian Unlimited (UK)
Dated Thursday June 2

A lesson from the voters that must be heeded
By Simon Tisdall

The depth and ferocity of French and Dutch opposition to the EU constitutional treaty undoubtedly caught Europe's political elite by surprise. Now they may be forced to piece together a Plan B, having maintained all along that no such alternative exists.

Opponents of European integration are gleefully anticipating the EU's imminent collapse. Optimists suggest a stronger Europe could emerge. The truth about what happens next probably lies somewhere in between. The EU has suffered an unprecedented blow, reflecting a massive miscalculation at the top.

But as Jose Manuel Barroso, the commission president, noted this week, Europe has faced big problems before - and has usually overcome them.
That might sound a tad complacent. But the drama of the moment can be exaggerated, too, officials suggested.

Read more.

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1. Perhaps a more, umm, democratic EU will emerge from this. nt