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RésuméLes différences dans les modes de ratification du traité constitutionnel handicapent l’émergence d’un débat européen commun. Toutes les opinions européennes traduisent néanmoins deux caractères majeurs : un soutien à la légitimité du processus de construction européenne et une ignorance largement répandue quant au contenu concret des textes soumis à ratification. Parmi d’autres éléments, cette indifférence relative constitue une base pour une opposition ranimant d’anciennes peurs.

The attitude of Europeans toward the constitutional project is determined by their attitude toward European construction in general, an attitude which vacillates between recognition of its utility and indifference. The constitutional project itself, largely misunderstood, equally encourages indifference, including in the countries that have chosen a referendum vote. Even if the utility of the treaty seems to be recognized in an enlarged Union, some fears remain particularly persistent. Citizens fear losing their national sovereignty and the acceptance of new countries while they have not all accepted the enlargement of 2004. Opposition is equally marked by national considerations, which makes ratification in the entire Union an uncertain prospect.