French nix European charter
By Elaine Sciolino
The New York Times

Paris – Turning its back on half a century of European history, France decisively rejected a constitution for Europe on Sunday, plunging the country into political disarray and jeopardizing the cause of European unity.

The victory for the no vote – 55 percent to 45 percent – came in a nationwide referendum on the European Union Constitution after a bruising campaign that divided France and alarmed Europe.

Foreshadowed in recent polls, the no vote could doom the 450- page treaty because it must be ratified by all 25 member nations of the European Union for it to take effect.

While I don’t actually know a whole lot about the issue, it seems that this latest monkeywrench francais poses a serious problem for Europe, and at the same time, represents potentially good news for the US.

In coming decades, our status as a political and economic superpower will be severly challenged, and all I’ve read suggests we’re looking at a two-front war with China and the EU. A united Europe represents a massive market heft – that’s obvious enough – and it would thus seem that anything that kept European interests somewhat Balkanized would serve us well, right? (And for the moment I’m setting aside the very open question of what’s best for the planet – check back with me on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2008 for more on this subject.)

Not that I necessarily think we’ve heard the last word here. I doubt the rest of Europe is dumb enough to let France hijack the next century out from under them. I’d love to hear some analysis from those who’ve studied it more than I have….