Sarkozy visit could backfire, says MEP
France's president Nicolas Sarkozy (left) and his wife Carla Bruni-Sarkozy (centre) speak with Israel's President Shimon Peres as they arrive at Tel Aviv airport. Sarkozy is on a three-day visit to the Jewish state and wants to strengthen ties between the two countries.
Monday June 23 2008
A visit by French President Nicolas Sarkozy to Ireland could hinder attempts to harness support for the defeated Lisbon Treaty, a Fine Gael MEP claimed last night.
The party's Leinster MEP, Avril Doyle, said she was nervous about the Mr Sarkozy's July 11 visit and its potential helpfulness in convincing voters of the real issues in the treaty.
Mr Sarkozy's visit will come amid Government efforts to draw up a strategy before the European summit in October -- a strategy that is increasingly likely to involve a second referendum next March.
"I'm not sure it [his visit] would help things. I'm a bit nervous about Sarkozy. He's - you know -- a little bit unpredictable in terms of what he says and how he says it. He's colourful, but whether he'll help the cause, help the understanding of Europe, help connect people to what the real issues in the Lisbon Treaty were, I'm not sure," she told TV3's 'Political Party' with Ursula Halligan.
Second
Axel Poniatowski, official spokesperson for Mr Sarkozy, said over the weekend there was no other choice for the Irish Government but to hold a second referendum.
Amid the continued fallout from the treaty defeat, the Luxembourg prime minister, Jean-Claude Juncker, yesterday heaped further pressure on the Irish Government by claiming that unless the Lisbon Treaty is saved, a two-speed Europe would follow.
Direction
"I am not in favour of a two-speed Europe. I would like the European Union to move ahead with 27 member states on board in the same direction having the same ambitions but if this would be no longer possible we don't have any other choice than a two-speed Europe," he said.
One of the aspects which pro-treaty campaigners will have to address in their post-analysis of the referendum is the role immigration played in voters' decisions.
According to yesterday's Red C poll, a significantly high number of 'Yes' and 'No' voters said there should be stricter limits on the number of foreigners coming into Ireland.
The opinion poll found that while 65pc of 'No' voters "strongly" agreed there should be stricter controls, half of 'Yes' voters also shared this view.
Last night, Fianna Fail backbencher Chris Andrews agreed that immigration had been a factor in the referendum campaign.
"I wouldn't like to overestimate it and say it was the only factor -- there were a multiple of reasons. But it was a very significant reason, certainly in inner city parts of Dublin, Dublin southeast," he said.
- ine Kerr Political Correspondent
