DUBLIN — When voters in Greece and France got the chance, they dealt a resounding “No!” to parties backing austerity measures. The Irish could be next to give the European Union’s austerity plans a black eye.
A May 31 referendum asks the public to approve an EU treaty that aims to control nations’ annual deficits and longer-term debts. Critics say the treaty ignores the competing need to stimulate growth.
Ireland, once staunchly pro-EU but increasingly euroskeptical, is the only member of the bloc putting the agreement to a national vote.
Analysts of the eurozone crisis say an Irish rejection of the treaty, combined with Francois Hollande’s victory as France’s president and a hard-left turn in Greece’s parliamentary elections, could force the continent to shift in favor of less cutting and greater investment in growth.
