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Editorial

Nature 435, 386 (26 May 2005) | doi:10.1038/435386a; Published online 25 May 2005

Europe's constitution

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Referenda next week could derail the European project — with negative consequences for science.

The people of France and the Netherlands will vote next week on whether their respective governments should ratify the proposed European constitution. Despite the traditional roles of both nations as stalwart supporters of greater European unity, their leaders have failed to generate much popular enthusiasm for the document, and both votes are expected to be close.