FRANCE: Opposition to the new European constitution is gaining ground in France ahead of the country's referendum on May 29th, a poll showed yesterday, despite politicians' efforts to rally support for the treaty.
France now poses a major hurdle for the constitution due to the danger of a voter backlash against the conservative government's unpopular cost-cutting reforms.
The constitution needs the backing of all member states to come into force.
An Ipsos poll for the Figaro newspaper and Europe 1 radio station showed 54 per cent of people polled would vote against the treaty. When the same question was asked in early March, 40 per cent had said they would vote No.
France will be the second country to vote on ratifying the constitutional changes, designed to make the EU work more smoothly following its enlargement last May.
The poll was conducted on March 25th and 26th, days after French president Jacques Chirac succeeded in persuading EU leaders to retreat on a Bill to deregulate the services sector, which had produced protests and boosted opposition to the treaty.
On Sunday Mr Chirac urged the French to think seriously about the referendum, saying the fate of the country for decades to come depended on the outcome.
The poll showed a continuing political divide on the issue, with the deterioration of the Yes vote mainly among left-leaning voters.
It showed that 58 per cent of these opposed the constitution, compared to 33 per cent of right-leaning voters.
The Yes vote lost some 25 points among the under-35s, 15 points among salaried workers and more than 30 points among France's lowest-income groups.
France's Christian churches yesterday urged voters not to turn the referendum into a plebiscite over Turkey's possible EU entry, or local political issues.
In a joint letter, Roman Catholic, Protestant and Orthodox leaders said the constitutionbrought substantial improvements to the existing treaties: "The referendum has no other object than to accept or reject the treaty," they wrote, arguing that it deserved support because it respected human dignity, expanded democratic procedures and recognised the contribution religion made to modern society.