French Parliament tackles EU Constitution

The special joint session of members of the National Assembly and the Senate was to take up a revision of the French constitution needed before France can adopt the EU charter.

The two chambers have separately adopted the changes with large margins; opposition has been primarily on the political fringes and some holdouts among Socialists and in Chirac’s centre-right party.

President Jacques Chirac, who is growing increasingly nervous about the prospect of a no vote, will use the meeting of both houses to announce an early date for a referendum.

Polls indicate the French would vote in favour, but momentum has been rising in the no camp.