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Looks at the political impact of the rejection of the European Union constitution by voters in France and the Netherlands. Description of the political and social motivations for the creation of the European Union (EU); Impact of the constitution's rejection on politics in the EU and international relations; Economic impact of the constitution's rejection; Efforts of EU leaders to interpret the views of those who opposed the constitution; Long-term impact of debate over the constitution on the process of political and economic integration in Europe.

The article looks at the rejection of a referendum on a European Union Constitution by French and Dutch voters. For those who fancied that they were building a United States of Europe, a combined power with more people and a bigger economy than the United States of America, the double "no" to the European Union's constitution from France on May 29, 2005 and the Netherlands on June 1, 2005 has been a cruel collision with reality. It is economic and employment failure, especially in the core countries of the euro zone, that lies at the root of voters' dissatisfaction both with their leaders and with the EU--a point confirmed by the deep unpopularity of the Schröder government in Germany and the Berlusconi government in Italy. The cure for this failure is easy to prescribe: economic reforms and further liberalisation, which have worked in Britain, Ireland and the Scandinavian countries. Such reforms are being promoted by the commission under its Lisbon agenda, including its much-abused directive to liberalise trade in services. Yet the leaders of France, Germany and Italy now have a fundamental objection: that their voters turned against them precisely because they tried, somewhat timidly, to bring in reforms. Many European leaders are now even less likely than they were to pursue the Lisbon agenda or to implement economic reforms at home. That is highly regrettable. It is also unlikely to bring success, because it will perpetuate the low growth and high unemployment that are surely more to blame for governments' unpopularity than any reform.

Offers world news briefs for May 31, 1999. Acquittal in France of ex-mercenary Bob Denard and Dominique Malacrino in the murder of President Ahmed Abdallah of the Comoros islands; Murder conviction in Germany against a World War II Gestapo footsoldier, Alfons Goetzfrid, for his participation in `Operation Harvest Festival'; The resignation of the government of Prime Minister Wim Kok in Netherlands; Constitutional reform rejected by Guatemala voters.

Offers world news briefs for May 31, 1999. Acquittal in France of ex-mercenary Bob Denard and Dominique Malacrino in the murder of President Ahmed Abdallah of the Comoros islands; Murder conviction in Germany against a World War II Gestapo footsoldier, Alfons Goetzfrid, for his participation in 'Operation Harvest Festival'; The resignation of the government of Prime Minister Wim Kok in the Netherlands; Constitutional reform rejected by Guatemala voters.

The article focuses on the Dutch and French opposition to the European Union (EU) austerity plans. Topics include the election of French president François Hollande in 2012, the economic recession experienced by EU member states, and the support for French and Dutch extremist parties that reject austerity measures.

Focuses on the efforts of Pim Fortuyn to win the presidency of the Netherlands with his Livable Rotterdam party. His stance against Muslim immigration, crime, bureaucrats, and taxes; His support for better health care and schools; Topic of power-sharing in the Netherlands coalition government; Mention of Jean-Marie Le Pen, who is a candidate in the presidential race in France.