|
|
|
ONLINE FEATURES
Book Reviews
BW Video
Columnists
Interactive Gallery
Newsletters
Past Covers
Philanthropy
Podcasts
Special Reports
BLOGS
The Auto Beat
Byte of the Apple
Europe Insight
Eye on Asia
Getting In
Investing Insights
The New Entrepreneur
NEXT: Innovation Tools & Trends
On Media
Technology at Work
The Tech Beat
Traveler's Check
TECHNOLOGY
Product Reviews
Tech Stats
Hands On
AUTOS
Home Page
Auto Reviews
Car Care & Safety
INNOVATION
& DESIGN Home Page Architecture Brand Equity Auto Design Game Room SMALLBIZ Smart Answers Success Stories Today's Tip FINANCE Investing: Europe Annual Reports Bloomberg BW50 SCOREBOARDS Hot Growth Companies: 2008 Mutual Funds Info Tech 100 B-SCHOOLS Undergrad Programs Rankings & Profiles |  |
JUNE 13, 2005
How Blair Could Unite The EU When French and Dutch citizens went to the polls last week to vote on ratification of the European Constitution, they rendered a deceptively simple verdict: No. But voters were rejecting far more than a convoluted 400-page legal tome that was never adequately explained by local leaders. They also were giving a big thumbs-down to a vision of Greater Europe crafted by the same political elites responsible for the tepid growth and uncompetitive cost structure that risks making many of the Continent's largest nations economically irrelevant. The defeat also highlights a growing generational split in Europe. In the French referendum, for example, more than 56% of voters over 60 voted "yes" on the Constitution; an equal percentage of voters 25 and younger voted "no." Why? Younger voters are hurt the most by today's high French unemployment -- and worry about their government's ability to pay future retirement benefits. Regaining their support will take a credible, coherent message that stresses growth and ensures a viable future for the young. That won't come from aging pols like French President Jacques Chirac associated with the pan-Europe movement. New voices are needed. A good candidate to launch this dialogue is British Prime Minister Tony Blair, who assumes the rotating presidency of the European Union this summer. Blair, who promoted painful changes to make Britain more competitive, should use this pulpit to marshal support among pro-growth countries like Ireland and new EU members in the East to promote Continent-wide economic reforms. Indeed, cuts in costly employment rules and protectionist regulations are needed if Europe is to be a counterweight to the economic and political might of America and China. With the recent humbling of the French and German architects of the Euro Constitution, Blair's message has a chance of being heard. Let's hope Europe's leaders listen.  Get BusinessWeek directly on your desktop with our RSS feeds.  Add BusinessWeek news to your Web site with our headline feed. Click to buy an e-print or reprint of a BusinessWeek or BusinessWeek Online story or video. To subscribe online to BusinessWeek magazine, please click here. Learn more, go to the BusinessWeekOnline home page  | | |
 Copyright 2005, Bloomberg L.P.Terms of Use | Privacy Notice |
Printer-Friendly Version