French constitutional cliffhanger in view

Published: 30 March 2005 y., Wednesday
Twin opinion polls published show support for a "No" vote and rejection of the treaty is growing, at 53 and 54 percent against , the fourth and fifth negative polls in the last two weeks. Over the last six months French passion for this key measure of european integration has cooled. While the Constitution does attract cross-party support, the no camp deploys vocal opposition from far left and right, and some voices from the establishment parties. The Socialists have been all but split on the issue. Spokesman Julien Drey insists it is early days yet; "You mustn't forget that at least half of those polled said they hadn't made up their minds yet, so the results must be taken with a pinch of salt. Now the campaign is beginning". However details in the poll will worry the party leadership. It has papered over the cracks in the Socialist fortress, but the data shows the fissures are widening from the cellar to roof A big swing within the Socialist party puts the "No" camp now out in front. Too late, as the vote establishing policy is behind them, but with how much enthusiasm will every branch be campaigning? Pierre Giacometti is the boss of IPSOS polls;"For the last few weeks the left's electorate has got it into its head that the Constitution's the plan for a free-market europe, and at the same time there are background fears of social costs and economic weakness", is his analysis. If that sounds like a catch-all for the traditional French elector's desire to bloody the nose of a government when they are fed up about things, you may be right. It raises the political stakes, and makes this referendum one to watch.
Šaltinis: euronews.net
Copying, publishing, announcing any information from the News.lt portal without written permission of News.lt editorial office is prohibited.

Facebook Comments

New comment


Captcha

Associated articles

The most popular articles

Striking a balance between security and privacy

EU plans will allow international air passenger data to be used under strict conditions in the fight against terrorism and serious crime. more »

Saving the church of bones

Experts are trying to find ways to save the unique Sedlec ossuary - a church decorated with human skulls and bones. more »

Pension schemes: reform needed to ensure sustainability and adequate income, says Employment Committee

The EU and its Member States must act to ensure that pension schemes can sustainably deliver an adequate income to the EU's growing number of retired people, despite the economic crisis, says Parliament's Employment Committee in a resolution voted on Tuesday. more »

China cashes in on UK royal wedding

Chinese factories increase their output of replicas of the Windsor royal engagment ring as world-wide demand for the sparkle remains high. more »

Estonians are spending their last kroons

The euro changeover in Estonia is in its final stage. more »

Environment: A good day for salmon, otters and beech forests

Europe's flora and fauna are now better protected than at any time in the history of the European Union. Natura 2000, Europe's network of protected natural areas, has been expanded by nearly 27 000 square kilometres. more »

2011 – The European Year of Volunteering!

Getting more people involved in volunteering is the key aim of the 2011 European Year of Volunteering. more »

New Year Greetings from President Dalia Grybauskaitė

Dear Fellow People of Lithuania,I send my best wishes to you on this New Year's Eve. more »

Bycycles – necessity in Indonesia?

Some residents in Jakarta are trading in their gas guzzling cars and motorcycles for bicycles. more »

U.S. captivated by winter storm

As a winter storm is heading for the Northeast Coast of the United States, drivers are not the only travelers being hit by the storm. more »