Ainda sobre a «Constituição Europeia»

«A real debate took place in France concerning the European Constitution. This is the very least we can expect from a democracy, and the French nation must be congratulated for it. However, the outcome of this debate is not especially enlightening. It is surprising to observe how the advocates of both the "No" and "Yes" votes employed very similar arguments. Both campaigns focused on encouraging voters to turn against the United States and to reject what was called "the Anglo-Saxon threat." Advocates on both sides proposed a Europe without reforms, featuring a more restricted market and greater state control (in a country in which the public sector plays a very important role). And this happens now, just when we are celebrating the 60th anniversary of the liberation of Europe by British and American troops, an event that ushered in the longest period of prosperity and peace Europe has known, founded on political freedoms and the market economy. Paradoxical, certainly.
It is not surprising, however, that the debate has strayed so far from the boundaries of the European identity. Over the last few years, certain leaders have fertilized the populist seeds of rejection regarding reform and the Atlantic link. It is not surprising, therefore, that weeds have sprung up and the gardeners have lost control of them.»

José María Aznar na sua coluna do Wall Street Journal Europe (3-5 Junho de 2005)

[Bernardo Sousa de Macedo]