Govenrment and Business Environment Case Study

The French ‘Non’: Will the EU Breakdown?

OR

Abstract:

The European Union (EU) was formed to bring the nations of Europe closer in terms of trade, finance, economics and commerce. A common Constitution for all member states was framed which was to be ratified by them to come into force. By March, 2006 12 countries had completed the ratification process. Only France and Holland had rejected the constitution by national referendum.

The case discusses the effect of the French negative vote on the EU charter, steps taken to counter it, the issues facing the European community, and the dilemma on how to remain a strong cohesive unit despite pulls and pressures from different directions, by ensuring that individual government partners were able to solve their problems with the constitution, within the framework of a ‘United States of Europe.’

Pedagogical Objectives:

• To discuss the problems faced by the European Union to function as a separate entity incorporating different countries with similar goals and a common currency.

Keywords : Government and Business Environment Case Study,European Union, Economic Community, Referendum, Charter, Leadership, Euro, Currency, Turkey, Strategy, Trade, Barriers, Integration immigration, Netherlands, Member Countries