Are They Winning?

France's claim to be one of the principal architects of the European Union (EU) may falter if, as recent poll numbers suggest, its citizens reject the EU constitution in a May 29th referendum. Though the recent decline in support for the draft constitution may be a statistical aberration, opposition to two proposed policies demonstrates French displeasure with the EU's current direction. The first is liberalization of services, which has raised concerns over both lower wages and security. The second is the prospect of Turkish entry into the EU. According to The Economist, signs may be pointing to an emerging "Euroskepticism." The possibility that a majority of French voters will reject the EU constitution is still remote. But the movement of said skepticism into mainsteam French political dialogue – as well as popular opinion – may in the future force Brussels to consider policies more amenable to a country that considers itself a pillar of the EU. – YaleGlobal