EV pollsters give their seal of approval to ‘United Europe’

Date: 21/11/02

By Karen Carstens

VALERY Giscard d'Estaing's favoured choice for a new name for the EU received the most support in an online poll conducted by European Voice.

The suggestion by the chairman of the Convention on the future of the EU to switch from the current European Union to 'United Europe' was backed by 34% of the 5,710 votes cast in the poll, which closed last Friday (15 November).

'European Union' came second with 23% support, followed by a tie for third place between 'United States of Europe' and 'United Nations of Europe', which garnered 13% each. 'European Federation' and the minimalistic 'Europe' brought up the rear with 7% and 6%, respectively.

Giscard, the former French president, made his proposal for a name change to United Europe in his outline draft constitution for Europe unveiled last month.

Giscard gave the EV poll his own personal stamp of approval before it closed: 'I am delighted that it works, that people express their view, and that there is a real consultation.

'We must think of Europe in 20 years. This is the advantage of a name like United Europe, as in the future we will speak about Europe, and not about a Union or something else when we talk about it.'

Valéry Giscard d'Estaing's favoured choice for a new name for the EU received the most support in an online poll conducted by European Voice.

http://european-convention.eu.int/bienvenue.asp?lang=EN http://european-convention.eu.int/bienvenue.asp?lang=EN

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