Fine French Whine - Chirac Pleads for EU Constitution

(Paris, France) In preparation for the May 29 referendum on the EU Constitution, President Jacques Chirac appeared on a two-hour television political infomercial to plead with and insist that the French electorate vote for the measure. According to the Deutsche Welle:

French President Jacques Chirac urged a skeptical electorate to support the European constitution, warning that a 'no' vote would make Paris the "black sheep" of the European Union.

In a high-stakes two-hour live television appearance aimed at jumpstarting the flailing 'yes' campaign in France ahead of a May 29 referendum, Chirac also insisted the treaty could not be renegotiated if the 'no' camp were to prevail.

But the French president -- who has staked his prestige on approval of the constitution -- said he would not resign should voters reject the landmark text.

Shucks! That's a shame. Either way the vote goes, Chirac stays. He continues:

"The reality is that you would have 24 countries that voted yes and then the black sheep that blocked everything", he said.

"France would be considerably weakened," he warned, adding that within Europe, "France would cease to exist politically."

Chirac also cautioned that "European construction would stop," adding: "The argument that we could renegotiate (the treaty) is not a serious one."

"Let's not be afraid," he urged the audience.

Chirac obviously believes in exaggeration. Maybe it's due to some nervousness about the referendum. Undoubtedly, he's seen the recent poll which indicates that 55 percent of the voters want to reject the proposed constitution.