Barroso denies bullying voters

EUROPEAN Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso described as absurd allegations that he was trying to force the Irish electorate to vote for the Lisbon Treaty.

Mr Barroso told a seminar in Brussels that there was “no plan B” if the treaty was rejected by any member country.

“If there was a ‘no’ either in Ireland or another country, it will have a very negative effect for the European Union,” he said.

His remarks have been interpreted by the no campaign as an attempt to coerce the Irish into voting for the Treaty in the June 12 referendum.

“It’s an absurd allegation. As President of the Commission he is accountable to the people and he has a duty to tell people the truth about what it would mean if the treaty is not ratified.

“He is not putting a gun to the head of anybody. There is no gun — the EU is also a peace project as Irish people know.

“The fact is that it would have a negative effect on the Union and all its member states as it would be a rejection of an attempt to make major improvements in its democracy and efficiency,” said Pia Hansen, a spokes-person for Mr Barroso.

The EU cannot face the challenges of the 21st century and globalisation with institutions designed for the last century and a smaller Union, and it cannot operate effectively if it is divided, she added.

Mr Barroso was not referring only to Ireland but to the other countries that have yet to ratify the treaty, she said.

Ireland is the only EU member state holding a referendum on the treaty that must be ratified by all 27 states to be adopted.

It has been ratified by 14 nations so far with Germany the latest to do so last week.