The things they say

It would be a serious error to suspend the process of ratification, now it is necessary to raise the question with the other countries. France decides only for France, even if it is an important country.

Josep Borrell, president of the EU parliament

The battle continues. We respect the result of this democratic vote… But in voting "no", French voters voted against the opportunity to create better Europe.

Socialist Group leader Martin Schulz

The EU is composed of 450 million citizens and its future cannot be decided by voters in one EU member state.

Graham Watson, leader of the ALDE

The rejection of the Constitution is not the end of the world, the EU will continue under the aegis of the Treaty of Nice. The true tragedy is that the French lost exactly that to which they aspired: a true democracy and European solidarity - the creation of a European Republic.

Daniel Cohn-Bendit, Co-president of Greens/EFA

He stresses the importance of continuing the process of ratification in the remainder of the Member States.

Elmar Brok, MEP

...a refusal of the European Constitution by one country does not mean the Constitution's end. The ratification process continues until all 25 member states have spoken out on this historic project.

Josef Leinen, chairman of the EP constitution committee

29 May is a very, very sad day for France and also for Europe but the rumours of the death of the European Constitution are highly exaggerated.

Poul Nyrup Rasmussen, president of the European Socialist Party

Nine countries have said "Yes" and one has said "No". We must take account of the democratic will of the majority as well as the minority in finding a solution. Every EU country has a right to have a say. France alone cannot decide for the whole of Europe.

Richard Corbett, MEP