Welcome to Euroland ? 30.05.05

So France said No to the European Constitution. 54.5% of the French voters, to be exact. Some mixed feelings with this result. First, it is worth to notice that the country is not divided left-right. On both side of the political cake we have people who said yes and people who said no. It looks like French voters decided based on their own conviction, and not by following a political leader of movement. The fault to these leaders, who were already divided. Second, President Chirac had two choices: the Referendum or to go to the Parliament. To ask the people has always been a bad idea in France history. Is it the same in my country ? Do the Swiss democracy kill what democracy should be ? In other words, I believe that too much democracy does not help. Once you choose a government, you need to give this government enough power to apply their program. Power to the people, yes, through the election of the government, maybe not through the extensive usage of the right to go to the referendum. Third, the No is a slash on the face to the political power. From all parties, all colors. French voters said they are now fed up with their government, but what can be changed ?

About the Europe itself. The political side is for sure the most difficult to achieve. Economically, we now have the 3rd largest power after the US and Japan. Europe has a card to play. Chine on the rise, India to follow, Europe needs to tighten its alliance, to be flexible without prostituting too much. Chinese textile anyone ? Politically and socially it is still very difficult to make a smart move. Surely this week-end will slow down the process but will help people to think more socially. Europe for the people, not for their leaders.

I was in Lithuania last week. People are very much happy, and proud to have joined the EU. The country, and its neighbors, benefit from their adhesion. Germany is outsourcing services and production in Lithuania. In 2007 they should join the Euro zone. A strong currency, with the perverse effect on the purchasing power of the inhabitants, but a real boost for the local economy. But still, to renew the center of the capital city and to leave all the backstreets and the suburb in the past soviet era is not enough.

What we learn from these two examples: you can’t be half in and half out. You have to suffer to play the game, but it is worth to try.