The French Vote and Europe’s Future

With opinion polls showing French voters are likely to defeat a referendum on the proposed European Union Constitution on Sunday, May 29, Brookings presents a panel discussion with Philip Gordon, director of the Center on the United States and Europe at Brookings (CUSE); Anne Applebaum of the Washington Post; and Gerard Baker of The Times of London. Jeremy Shapiro, director of research for CUSE, will chair the discussion. The participants, who are all leading commentators on European affairs, will discuss the importance of this vote not only as it relates to the cultivation of a stronger, more outward looking European Union, but as it applies to the United States’ partnership with France.

The discussion will look at the possible scenarios and outcomes of the vote in both France and, three days later, in the Netherlands, and will consider such questions as: Does the United States have a stake in the European votes? What would be the consequences of a French or Dutch rejection of the Treaty? Would a “no” vote signal the end of the European integration project? What would it mean for EU candidates such as Turkey, Croatia, and Ukraine? Would a vote against the Constitution be a vote against free-market economics?

These questions weigh heavily as the most recent opinion polls in France and the Netherlands show the “no” camps in the lead.

There will be a question and answer session following remarks.