French constitution crisis gathers pace
A new poll indicates the gap is shrinking between the two camps ahead of the French referendum on the EU Constitution next month – with 52% of respondents saying they plan to vote to reject the charter.
The survey, published today in Le Figaro newspaper, showed 48% of respondents support the constitution – three percentage points more than in a similar poll a week earlier.
However, the polling agency warned that the figures should be “interpreted with prudence,” saying that 26% of respondents did not indicate which way they would vote in the May 29 referendum.
France, a founding nation of the European Union, has been swept up in the debate.
Politicians from across the spectrum squared off over the constitution in prime-time yesterday, fielding questions from viewers and audience members in a boisterous 2-1/2 hour televised debate.
Participants sparred over what the constitution could mean for the French over issues like public services, jobs, government-funded research and Brussels’ rich agricultural subsidies to France.
Foreign Minister Michel Barnier argued that France would enjoy more political influence under the constitution and needs the treaty to retain its voice in the world.
“France has 60 million inhabitants, Europe has 450 million together; China has 1.5 billion and India one billion,” he said. “How in this world that’s shaking, dangerous, unstable and unequal are we going to count, to be respected, to exist?”
“I think it’s by combining our European energies,” he said.
Jean-Marie Le Pen, leader of the ultra-right National Front Party who opposes the constitution, countered: “if the ’yes’ wins, it’s clear, it will be the end of France and its history.”
“If the ’no’ wins, on the other hand, the cards will be redistributed, and the chances will return to see the nations of Europe deal themselves with necessary reforms,” he added.
German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder was set to arrive in Paris today, with long-time friend President Jacques Chirac and other constitution backers struggling to tamp down the opposition.
In the poll, a plurality of supporters in the ’yes’ camp – 29% – cited their concern that a French rejection would weaken the country, an argument also made by Chirac.
Opponents most often cited their belief that rejection would offer the opportunity to draw up a “better” constitution, according to the survey. That line was cited by 27% of ’no’ backers.
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