EU 'No' Vote Gains Ground In France

Opposition to the new European Constitution is gaining ground in France ahead of the country's May 29 referendum, a poll showed on Monday local time, despite politicians' efforts to rally support for the treaty.

A founder member of the European bloc, 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 members to come into force.

An Ipsos poll for the Figaro and Europe 1 showed 54 percent of people polled would vote against the constitution. When the same question was asked in early March 40 percent 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 25 and 26, days after French President Jacques Chirac succeeded in persuading EU leaders to retreat on a bill to deregulate the services sector, which had sparked protests and fuelled opposition to the treaty.

On Sunday, Chirac urged the French people to think seriously about the referendum, saying the fate of France for decades to come depends 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 58 percent of left-leaning voters opposed the constitution, compared to 33 percent of right-leaning voters.

The 'yes' vote was also seen losing some 25 points among the under 35s, 15 points among salaried workers and more than 30 points among France's lowest-income groups.

The drop in support had coincided with a series of strikes and protests in France against the government's policies on pay, cost-cutting and over its failure to reduce unemployment.

Source: Reuters