With 60% "Oui" to the new European Constitution, Francois Hollande has achieved his third victory as head of the Parti Socialiste, first the red wave that swept the regional elections, then followed through in the European Parliamentary elections and now the strong yes vote in the internal Parti Socialiste referendum on the European Constitution.
However, just like in the days of Asterix and the Roman empire, there remains a small corner of Gaul that holds out against the blue tide caused by the Treaty of Rome. In this case it is the Aude, and the Pyrenees-Oriental which both voted solidly against the Treaty. 58.07% "Non" in the Aude, 75.38% in the Pyrenees-Oriental. Jean-Claude Perez, leader of the Parti Socialiste in the Aude, and Christian Bourquin, leader of the Parti Socialiste in the Pyrenees-Oriental, lead the campaign in Languedoc for the "Non" vote and although they successfully carried their own Departments the large "Oui" vote in "Nordiste" departments of the Herault and Gard carried the Region for the "Oui" vote by 60%, 5,360 votes, vs 40% 3584 votes.
Jean-Claude Perez said that the vote was a vote against the increasing economically "liberal" nature of Europe, the complete lack of social concern shown in the draft Constitution document and not a vote against Europe or the European project. He likened the Aude Socialists to the Cathars resisting a Northern invasion and attempt to change their way of life, however he also hoped that the the grandees of the national Socialist Party would not be building a big bonfire for those departments that voted "Non".
With a strong Communist Party pushing for a no vote, the Greens split as usual, and the UMP confused it looks likely that the Aude will vote "Non" in the actual national referendum.
Aude Socialists Vote "Non" to European Constitution 4th December 2004 Peter Shield

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