Cartoon by Plantu on the idea of a European constitution (28 June 2000)

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‘Constitution. “What?!! You’re telling me I’m the result of genetic engineering?? Um? … Didn’t you know?”’ On 28 June 2000, French cartoonist Plantu paints an ironic picture of the role played by the Franco-German duo in the establishment of a future European constitution. The 1984 commemorative monument evokes the symbolic act of Helmut Kohl and François Mitterrand, who, hand in hand, paid tribute at the Douaumont ossuary (near Verdun) to the soldiers from the two countries who died in combat during the First World War. This event emphasised the reconciliation between the two countries and their determination to establish closer relations. On 27 June 2000, following on from the work of Helmut Kohl and François Mitterrand, French President Jacques Chirac gave an address to the Bundestag in Berlin in which he put forward the idea of an institutional reform of the European Union. A preparatory period of open reflection for the reorganisation of the treaties could lead to the first European constitution. Chirac also proposed the establishment of a ‘pioneering group’ of countries, which, along with Germany and France, would take part in all areas of enhanced cooperation.

Source and copyright

Source: PLANTU, "Constitution. Mais, alors?!! Je suis le fruit d'une manipulation génétique?? Ben?.Tu ne le savais pas?" dans Le Monde 28.06.2000, n°17238, p.1.

Copyright: (c) Plantu

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Cartoon by Plantu on the idea of a European constitution (28 June 2000)