Nice Treaty: Poster war steals show

They're sexy and scary, colourful and controversial. While the constitutional niceties of the European Union’s Nice Treaty may not have...

They’re sexy and scary, colourful and controversial. While the constitutional niceties of the European Union’s Nice Treaty may not have turned the Irish on in the run-up to their referendum, the political posters certainly have.

In a propaganda war starting months ago when the October 19 referendum date was fixed, both ‘‘yes’’ and ‘‘no’’ campaigners have been swamping streets with ever-bolder slogans and images to convince the undecided voters.

‘‘It’s better 2 B inside,’’ reads one of the more risque posters showing a half-naked couple entwined on a beach. ‘‘Vote yes to Europe, vote yes to Nice,’’ it adds below.

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On the ‘‘no’’ side — whose supporters do not want Ireland to ratify the Nice Treaty paving way for EU enlargement — there are several candidates for most controversial poster.

First to appear was a red-and-black banner showing a nervous-looking man with a gun to his head against the words: ‘‘Same bad treaty. Don’t be bullied. Vote no to Nice.’’ Another banner at one end of Dublin’s New Millennium Bridge landed its perpetrator in court. ‘‘No to war, no to Nice, no to American terrorism. People before profit,’’ reads the banner which so offended authorities that they took legal action to have it removed.

Poster owner Mick Wallace won the right for his dramatic display of freedom of expression, however, and said the poster will stay in place until Saturday’s vote. (Reuters)