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(Angus Reid Global Scan) - Voters in France would ratify the European Constitution, according to a poll by CSA published in Le Parisien. 51 per cent of respondents would vote in favour of the proposed body of law in this month's referendum.

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. Eight nations 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. On May 9, current UMP president and former finance minister Nicolas Sarkozy urged for a "Yes" vote, saying, "If there was no Europe, there would be no peace. France is stronger at the head of Europe than isolated."

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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