Diplomatic times

The Diplomatic Times Review quotes an article on today's Sunday Times:

Commentary on French and Dutch voters' rejection of the European Constitution on May 29 and June 1, 2005 respectively continues to be offered in publications around the world as commentators try to understand the meaning behind the 'No" votes. Anthony Manduca of The Sunday Times of Malta provides an interesting perspective in the June 5, 2005 issue of the publication. Among other things, he said, Jacque Chirac's unpopularity is certainly not the only reason why the French rejected this treaty." He noted that:

There was a large left-wing movement against its ratification. The Socialist
Party was split over its support for the Constitution and the Communist Party
was opposed. The Left considered the treaty to be far too economically liberal or
"Anglo-Saxon", as the French like to call it. There was a genuine fear about the
effects on France of increased competition - such as the European Commission's
proposal to open up the services sector in Europe - and this was wrongly
confused with the European Constitution and EU enlargement.

Mr. Manduca also said:"The No vote in the Netherlands, which was even larger than the French rejection, was more to do with Dutch fears over the treaty and the future of Europe than an expression of anti-government feeling, even though Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende is not particularly popular at this point in time..