Exhortation or Expectoration

As the European Constitution was thrown into question during the ratification process, few politicians in the Member States or the central institutions have used the 'period of reflection' to recast the question. Rhetoric on radical change has not heated a debate which revolves around asking those countries which have not ratified to ensure that the Constitution is passed. This unrealistic approach includes new methods to legitimate the foundational nature of the document such as a Union wide referendum to recognise, or conjure up, a European demos. As such, there are passing nods and glances on the urgency of achieving the Constitutional ratification every few days.

The calm that set in after the EU constitution was rejected at the referendums in France and the Netherlands in 2005 needs to end as soon as possible, European Parliament President Josep Borrell and FM Dimitrij Rupel [of Slovenia] agreed on Monday, 20 February.

According to the Foreign Ministry, the pair stressed the importance of informing the EU citizens about the constitution and the role national parliaments should play in the communication chain.

France is also consolidating its reputation in the bloc. After obtaining a reduction of the United Kingdom's rebate without a comparable dent in the Common Agricultural Policy, Chirac has suggested further ways of strengthening Europe's global role within existing treaty structures. This meets with France's long-term goal of multipolarity and plays well in the European Parliament where the budget agreed by the Member States has run into difficulty.

An ambitious programme of EU initiatives, from boosting foreign policy and disaster relief to building common energy stocks and education programmes, is to be proposed by France.

These will be far less popular in the United Kingdom, where Chiracism has already left a bad taste.

A key proposal will be to boost the powers of EU foreign affairs chief Javier Solana under the current treaty – possibly even creating a European diplomatic service.

France will also take credit for Europe’s move towards a common EU energy policy – with proposals set to be discussed by heads of state and government on March 23.

Other eye-catching proposals will see France urge more spending on European education exchange programmes and calls for "EU lessons" as part of civic education classes in secondary schools.

Continued integration under the existing treaty structures was a resource that politicians would inevtiably utilise. The arrow points only one way  still.