French would still vote 'no' to EU Constitution
18 May 2006
Almost a year after France rejected the EU constitution in a popular referendum, fresh research has revealed that French voters would still vote "no" to the treaty today.
On 29 May 2005, 54.7 percent of the French electorate voted against the charter, followed by an even more resounding Dutch rejection on 1 June (61.6 %).
A survey conducted by polling firm LH2 for the French paper Liberation, released on Tuesday (17 May), reveals that of those French people who voted "no", 98 percent "do not regret" their choice.
By contrast, 10 percent of last year's "yes" voters "regret" their decision while 89 percent stick to their choice.
The same survey shows that three quarters of respondents believe France's "no" "has not changed the course" of European politics, while 6 percent said the rejection of the treaty has moved the EU "in a more liberal direction."
Five percent believe that the "no" shifted the EU into "a more social direction." Analyses have said the fear of a "liberal" Europe was one key factor behind the failure of the poll.
Meanwhile, a majority of those surveyed said the referendum had "not changed" the politcal weight of France in the world, although a 36 percent minority said Paris had come out weakened on the world stage.
http://euobserver.com/9/21635/?rk=1
