The Hindu : Front Page : Exit polls: It's `no' to EU Constitution in France

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, May 30, 2005

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Exit polls: It's `no' to EU Constitution in France

Vaiju Naravane

Rejection may trigger chain reaction in Europe

PARIS: France remained true to herself, defiant and tough, booting out the proposed Constitution for Europe in a historic vote that will have far reaching consequences. In a referendum held on Sunday, French voters dealt a devastating blow to the future of European construction with a huge margin of 55 per cent of the votes, according to exit polls. All the major leaders of the `yes' vote have conceded defeat.

(According to AP, the Interior Ministry has said the `no' vote was 57.26 per cent with about 83 per cent of the ballots counted.)

Voters expressed their anger at conservative President Jacques Chirac and his Government but the overwhelming `no' vote was also a rejection of what is largely perceived here as being the EU's pro-liberal policies. Mr. Chirac has been substantially weakened by the verdict.The `no' camp was extremely motivated and last-minute appeals by leaders of the `yes' camp failed to sway abstentionists and undecided voters. The rate of participation was a little over 67 per cent, slightly lower than in the last referendum of 1992.

France is one of the founding members of the EU and has all along been an enthusiastic supporter of European unity. Its rejection of the Constitution, it is feared, is likely to set off a chain reaction in other EU countries such as The Netherlands, Poland, Britain or Denmark.

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