Guardian: Europe - an opportunity to move forward

Guardian An opportunity to move forward for Europe

Throwing the treaty out will set back - not advance - the cause of a democratic "social" Europe. True, a defeat for the treaty in France and the Netherlands will - first and foremost - be a contemptuous vote of protest against the Chirac presidency in France and the centre-right coalition in The Hague. But rejection will also be seen as a reflection of the strength of nationalist and chauvinist currents in public opinion, most obviously expressing themselves in bitter opposition to Turkey's EU membership and to any further enlargement of the union. It is difficult to see how anyone who has visited the Netherlands or France during this campaign can draw any other conclusion. These have been the dominating issues in the campaign - inspired and led by rightwing populists (and their far-right supporters) in both countries.