Early Referendum for France
France will have a referendum on the EU constitution before July, but only after making changes to its national Constitution.
The reforms will be placed before the assemblée nationale on 25 January and will be agreed upon by March or April.
Interior Minister Dominique de Villepin is thought to favour a vote in the first fortnight in June. This not only precedes the summer holidays; it is the likely beginning of accession talks with Turkey.
However, French authorities need to send "electoral material" to 42 million voters. This includes a copy of the EU Constitution and the question to be put to the people.
Voting is expected to cost 75 million euro, according to Marc le Fur, budget rapporteur in the Interior Ministry. The printing and delivery of the literature alone will cost 40 million.
Source:
EU Observer
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