Social protest could jeopardize French EU Constitution vote.
Could the referendum on the European Constitution be affected by a widespread protest in France against plans to introduce more flexibility into the 35-hour working week?
Up to 500,000 demonstrators in Paris, Lille, Toulouse, Marseilles, Bordeaux, and Lyon turned out to protest against a draft law that would allow employees to work more than 35 hours so long as it is agreed collectively with their employees.
(The 35-hour week, introduced in 2000, was seen as the great achievement of the previous Socialist government).
Now there are fears that this discontent could discharge and affect how French citizens vote in the planned Constitution referendum in June.
Adding to government's worries about the effect this debate could have on the Constitution, is a new poll carried out by Journal du Dimanche showing that 46 percent are still undecided about how they will vote.
Only 25 percent said they would vote in favour while 20 percent said they would vote against, according to the poll published on Sunday.
Those opposing the treaty cited the fear that France is becoming too liberal, the debate about Turkey becoming an EU member, the social and economic situation in the country, as reasons to oppose the text.
Source: EU Observer
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