Demand for a Referendum Becomes Louder

rt/nr. The European Union’s political class behave as though they rule a serfdom. Their first reaction to the negative result returned in the recent Nice Treaty referendum in Ireland, shows not only that they really have no respect for democratic decisions but that they do not feel duty bound to represent the population at large. In fact, the opposite is the case. In spite of the feelings of many ordinary citizens in Europe they want to put their plans into action with increased urgency.

In a first reaction, leading EU figures discarded the No result as a minor operational and administrative obstacle which they could ignore. These EU functionaries seem to regard themselves as the holders of elite sovereign power instead of acknowledging that this power belongs to the citizens of the individual EU member states. Admittedly, not all were quite so arrogant. ‘The expansion of the EU to include former ”East Bloc” countries needs to be better explained to the population at large in order to win them over’, it was said. In other words, they do not accept the referendum result and will instead manipulate the electorate with spin and PR.

Betrayal of his own land and its citizens

The reaction at the Göteburg Summit in Sweden of Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern was to declare the result of the referendum disappointing. Humbled in front of his European masters this betrayal of his own land and its citizens smacks of former East-Bloc politics whereby the population was regularly criticised and used as a scapegoat instead of examining those holding the reins of power. The Göteburg Summit showed the grotesque arrogance of the EU. The decision was taken to accelerate the whole process of eastern integration while the political wind in the potential new member states is still blowing in the right direction and before resistance in other EU member states has a chance to establish itself.

In the footsteps of Ireland, Austrian citizens have brought the subject of a referendum to the political forum. Unfortunately, there are few politicians willing to put themselves before the electorate on such a fundamental question. The majority would rather hold on to the course which is expected of them from outside their land. However, the citizens of Europe do not need overlords who are prepared to ignore their democratic rights and possibly lead them into unwanted conflicts. Those who truly represent the people should be aware of and respect the democratic rights of their citizens.