French President Nicolas Sarkozy says Ireland will have to hold a
second referendum on the new European Union treaty after rejecting it
in a vote last month.
The French leader, whose country
currently holds the rotating EU presidency, made his comments to a
group of French lawmakers in Paris.
Mr. Sarkozy visits Ireland Monday to review with that country's leaders possible steps in response to the June vote.
The
Spanish Senate voted to back the treaty Tuesday. King Juan Carlos'
signature would make Spain the 23nd nation to have ratified the accord
that is intended to replace the draft EU constitution that was rejected
by French and Dutch voters in 2005.
All 27 nations must ratify the treaty for it to take effect.
Advocates
say it remains unclear whether the charter can be salvaged after the
Irish defeat. Ireland is the only EU member required to hold a
referendum on the issue.
Some information for this report provided by Reuters and AFP.
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