French Opponents of EU Constitution Hold Lead in Latest Poll
May 14 (Bloomberg) -- French opponents of the European Union constitution hold the lead in the latest opinion poll, a day after a survey showed a majority in favor, signalling the May 29 referendum is still too close to call.
Today's poll, conducted by Ifop for Web site Wanadoo.fr, showed 54 percent of 1,016 people surveyed on May 12 and May 13 plan to reject the EU's new rulebook, four points higher than a survey on May 3 and 4. A TNS-Sofres poll for Le Monde conducted on May 9 and May 10 put support for the treaty at 52 percent. Neither survey has a margin of error.
Polls throughout March and early April showed the French likely to reject the constitution, which would have killed the treaty that's meant to make European institutions work more smoothly after the EU expanded to 25 from 15 members last year. Supporters of the treaty retook the lead in late April after strong appeals from political figures such as President Jacques Chirac and former Socialist Prime Minister Lionel Jospin.
The recent dip in support is due to ``the marked return of Laurent Fabius,'' the number two in the opposition Socialist party and ``identified as the principal leader of the `no' camp,'' Ifop said. Appeals to support the treaty from Socialist Leader Francois Hollande and Nicolas Sarkozy, head of the governing Union for a Popular Movement Party, in a Monday night television debate failed to convince voters, the polling company said.
Holiday Issue
Opposition to government plans to suppress the May 16 public holiday is also boosting opposition to the treaty, Ifop said. Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin has earmarked 2 billion euros ($2.5 billion) in extra tax revenue from the suppression of the holiday to fund care for elderly and disabled people after the death of 15,000 people in France's August 2003 heat wave.
The Ifop poll showed 67 percent of those planning to vote ``yes'' and 76 percent of those planning to vote ``no'' have made up their minds.
The EU treaty, which needs approval in all 25 nations, foresees the creation of a permanent president and foreign minister, and strengthens the European Parliament. Its rejection by France could scupper both the constitution itself and Chirac's chances of running for a third term in 2007.
To contact the reporter on this story:
Emma Vandore in Paris at
[email protected]
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