EU Referendums: Cases Where Results Were Ignored or Overturned

Many European Union (EU) member states have held referendums to assess whether their citizens believe in staying in the EU or otherwise. However, not all referendum results have been honored as expected. This article explores two notable examples in Ireland and France where initial referendum outcomes were disregarded or overturned, leading to further votes, negotiations, or outright rejections.

Ireland: A Case of Persistent Negotiations

A significant example is the case of Ireland, where the EU has demonstrated flexibility in handling referendum outcomes. In 2001, Irish voters rejected the Nice Treaty. Following this rejection, the Irish government engaged in further discussions and public campaigns, leading to a second referendum in 2002 where the treaty was eventually approved.

In 2008, Ireland voted against the Lisbon Treaty. Again, negotiations and assurances regarding the issues raised by the electorate followed, ultimately resulting in a second referendum in 2009 where the treaty was approved. What’s noteworthy about both of these events is that while the results were initially rejected, subsequent re-voting processes led to the treaties being ratified. This illustrates the flexibility and willingness of the EU to adjust to public sentiment through further dialogue and reassurance.

Interestingly, the Irish case brings to light the complexities of national constitutions and how they intersect with EU policies. The Lisbon Treaty brought changes and additions to Irish law, which required approval through a constitutional amendment. Despite the initial rejection, the process of revising the treaty and re-presenting it to the electorate led to eventual approval. It is argued that the rejection in 2008 was due to the complexity and unintelligibility of the treaty text, which was revised for improved clarity.

France: A More Adversarial Approach

France provides another notable example where the results of a referendum were hailed as a rejection of EU constitutional governance. In 2005, French voters decisively rejected the proposed European Constitution. Although the constitution was not implemented, it was later replaced by the Lisbon Treaty, which incorporated many of the constitutional elements but was ratified without another French referendum.

Even after the rejection, the EU adopted the Lisbon Treaty. The French government did not re-run the referendum. The German chancellor, who at the time held a key position in the EU, reportedly dismissed the result as inconsequential, emphasizing that voting the wrong way would result in EU indifference. This statement evokes historical parallels with Adolf Hitler, raising eyebrows and drawing comparisons.

Conclusion

While several EU member states have held referendums on their relationship with the EU, only Ireland and France provide cases where initial referendum results were ignored or overturned. These instances reveal the EU's flexibility in handling democratic expressions of opinion and its willingness to adjust to public sentiment through further dialogue and reassurance. It is important to note that while these cases highlight differences in EU governance, they also underscore the importance of transparency and public engagement in the democratic processes.

Keywords

EU referendum, Ireland, France

Related Terms

- Irish referendum

- Lisbon Treaty

- European Union governance