Issue Watch
Track global public opinion on current issues.
- 2008: Race for the White House
- 2008: The U.S. Electoral College
- Abortion
- Africa
- Angela Merkel
- Death Penalty
- Economy and Globalization
- Environment
- European Union
- George W. Bush
- Global Warming
- Gordon Brown
- Hamas
- Immigration
- Iran
- Iraq War
- Israel Election 2009
- Kevin Rudd
- Latin America
- Nicolas Sarkozy
- North Korea
- Oil and Gas
- Same-Sex Marriage
- Silvio Berlusconi
- Stem Cell Research
- Stephen Harper
- Taro Aso
- Terrorism
- Vladimir Putin
Angus Reid Global Monitor : Polls & Research
In France’s EU Referendum, “No” Still Leads
Credit:Flag courtesy of ITA’s Flags of All Countries used with permission.
(Angus Reid Global Scan) - A majority of decided French voters will reject the European Constitution, according to a poll by Ipsos published in Le Figaro. 52 per cent of respondents would vote against the proposed body of law in next month's referendum, a three per cent drop in a week.
A team headed by former French president Valery Giscard d'Estaing developed the European Constitution, which calls for the creation of an European Union (EU) president and foreign minister, as well as a reduction in the number of European commissioners. The document also seeks to simplify overlapping treaties and protocols, enhance decision-making within the EU, and enable a sense of belonging among continental citizens. EU heads of state officially signed the European Constitution on Oct. 29, 2004.
A nationwide referendum on the European Constitution has been scheduled for May 29. France and seven other member states will hold plebiscites to ratify the document, while the remaining countries will leave the decision to their respective legislative branches. Parliamentarians in Lithuania, Hungary, Slovenia, Italy and Greece—and voters in Spain—have already endorsed the constitution.
The governing centre-right Union for a Popular Movement (UMP) and the centre-left Socialist Party (PS) are both in favour of the European Constitution. The Communist Party (PC) and the right-wing National Front (FN) have rejected the proposed body of law.
The constitution requires ratification from all member states to come into effect in November 2006. Yesterday, UMP leader and former finance minister Nicolas Sarkozy urged voters not to turn the vote into an examination of the current government, saying, "There are elections for that."
Polling Data
A referendum on the European Constitution will take place in France on May 29. If the referendum took place this Sunday, how would you vote?
(Decided voters only)
Apr. 23 | Apr. 16 | Apr. 9 | |
Yes | 48% | 45% | 47% |
No | 52% | 55% | 53% |
Source: Ipsos / Le Figaro
Methodology: Telephone interviews to 954 French adults, conducted on Apr. 22 and Apr. 23, 2005. No margin of error was provided.
Today's Global Monitor Polls & Research
- Opposition Fidesz Loses Steam in Hungary
- Mexico’s Calderón Keeps Strong Mandate
- Conservatives Gain, Labour Drops in Britain
- Canadians Not Sold on Dion as Prime Minister
- Support for Aso Cabinet Drops in Japan
- Colombians Agree with Third Uribe Term
- Political Crisis Splits Views in Canada
- Americans Ponder Obama’s Economic Team
Archive Search
Over 19,600 Polls
Search the Angus Reid Global Monitor Polls & Research archive.