European Union

The Netherlands votes today on the European Union constitution, and Dutch officials would be blind not to notice the trail of destruction left by Sunday's French rejection. The first casualty was the constitution itself, which in its current form is now dead. Number Two is French Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin, who was sacrificed after the referendum's defeat. President Jacques Chirac's re-election run in 2007 is also in serious doubt.

All eyes now focus on the Dutch, who vote tomorrow after the French public's stinging rejection of the proposed European constitution on Sunday. It will be Holland's first referendum in 200 years and voters evidently plan to celebrate by staying home in large numbers, which would be unusual behavior for the civic-minded Dutch. According to polls, turnout could be as low as 30%, with opponents outnumbering supporters of the constitution by 3 to 2.

Shut up if you want to win. That seems to be the message French voters are sending Jacques Chirac. Monsieur President is campaigning hard to pass France's European Union constitution referendum, to be held May 29. Signs so far point to "non," which would mortally wound the constitution. Likely rejection by the Dutch a few days later would kill it outright.