Ireland Votes for A Stronger E.U.

Supporters of the Lisbon Treaty react after the results of the voting are announced in Dublin Castle. The charter would strengthen the E.U.'s

Henry Kissinger once famously asked, “Who do I call if I want to call Europe?” The answer, thanks to the Irish, may soon be the president of Europe.

Irish voters have removed the single greatest barrier to regionwide adoption of the Lisbon Treaty, which would further integrate the European Union — the world’s largest political and economic alliance encompassing almost 500 million people in 27 countries. According to official results of a referendum released Saturday, 67 percent of voters supported the charter.

The treaty would, among other things, create a full-time E.U. president and secretary of state, more closely linking the region’s foreign policies and affording the alliance new clout on the world stage.

Irish voters rejected the treaty in a vote last year. But reassured that the European Union would not demand changes to its antiabortion laws or military neutrality, Ireland switched gears in a second referendum Friday.

“The Irish people have spoken with a clear and resounding voice,” Prime Minister Brian Cowen, who has led the charge for the treaty’s approval, said in a statement to reporters in Dublin. “It is a good day for Ireland, and a good day for Europe.”

The results illustrate how the global financial crisis has forced hard-hit nations such as Ireland to find new value in their E.U. membership, reenergizing a project in cross-border governance that some said would never work.

The about-face, analysts say, appeared to be driven at least in part by fear.

Ireland is experiencing one of the worst economic downturns in the industrialized world after an unprecedented boom. It now views the E.U. as a lifeline to larger countries with more stable economies, including Germany and France. A repeat of a no vote, many Irish believed, would have reduced their influence with European partners at precisely the time when their investment, grants and loans are needed most, analysts said.

“The country is in dire straits, and we will be isolated politically if we vote no,” said Jean Kennedy, 49, an auctioneer who voted Friday in south Dublin.