(Angus Reid Global Scan) - The European Constitution could be rejected in France, according to a poll by CSA published in Marianne. 55 per cent of respondents would vote against the proposed body of law in a referendum, a four per cent increase 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 EU 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 and Slovenia—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.

On Mar. 25, current UMP leader Nicolas Sarkozy—mentioned as a possible presidential candidate in 2007—urged for a "Yes" vote, saying, "I want a political Europe, with an identifiable president, a Europe with a face."

Polling Data

If the referendum on the ratification of European Constitution project were held next Sunday, how would you vote?
(Decided Voters Only)

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