FRANCE/ GERMANY: POLL SHOWS THAT FRENCH VOTERS ARE LIKELY TO REJECT EUROEAN CONSTITUTION IN MAY REFERENDUM
Record ID:
328802
FRANCE/ GERMANY: POLL SHOWS THAT FRENCH VOTERS ARE LIKELY TO REJECT EUROEAN CONSTITUTION IN MAY REFERENDUM
- Title: FRANCE/ GERMANY: POLL SHOWS THAT FRENCH VOTERS ARE LIKELY TO REJECT EUROEAN CONSTITUTION IN MAY REFERENDUM
- Date: 29th March 2005
- Summary: (BN14) PARIS, FRANCE (29 MARCH 2005) (REUTERS) 1. VARIOUS OF IPSOS POLLSTER PIERRE GIACOMETTI AT HIS OFFICE 0.06 2. CLOSE OF "LE FIGARO" NEWSPAPER WITH HEADLINE ABOUT POLL ON GIACOMETTI'S DESK 0.09 3. SCU (SOUNDBITE) (French) IPSOS POLLSTER PIERRE GIACOMETTI SAYING: "One must at the same time be cautious about the capacity of a poll to forecast the result of a vote that will take place in two months, and that is something we keep in mind with every poll we do, in the written presentation of our results. That doesn't mean however that one should neglect the lessons and the signs expressed by the public opinion through these polls. It cannot be contested, and it is quite exceptional to see in such a short period of time, a tendency being reversed like this, through several successive polls. IPSOS and others have all seen this change of direction which while not definitive still looks like far more than a change of mood." 0.57 4. WIDE OF NEWSPAPER STAND 1.01 5. VARIOUS OF "LA FIGARO", "HUMANITE" NEWSPAPERS WITH HEADLINES ABOUT THE POLL RESULTS 1.20 6. SCU (SOUNDBITE) (French) MARTIN (NO SURNAME GIVEN) SAYING: "It is a reaction to problems that are not addressed by the referendum. There is no correspondence between the questions in the poll and the real issues." 1.30 7. SCU (SOUNDBITE) (French) MARCONE (NO SURNAME GIVEN) SAYING: "It is very good news, it continues being confirmed. I think this treaty project is very dangerous for all Europeans because it is based on neoliberal policies which would be of serious consequences for all of us." 1.54 8. SCU (SOUNDBITE) (French) EMMANUEL (NO SURNAME GIVEN) SAYING: "I think it is a punishment vote, and I find that pitiful, that people should give priority to considerations that are immediate and that concern certain policies and a specific government, when the project itself is one that will affect Europe for several decades. However, even if the no goes forth, and even if that would be a mistake, I do not think it will be a catastrophe and that Europe will overcome it. I also see that those who support the yes are making the situation look more serious than it really is." 2.31 9. SLV PEOPLE WALKING DOWN THE STREETS 2.44 (BN14) BERLIN, GERMANY (MARCH 29, 2005) (REUTERS) 10. WIDE OF GUIDO WESTERWELLE, HEAD OF GERMAN OPPOSITION FREE DEMOCRATS, WALKING IN TO NEWS CONFERENCE 2.51 11. SCU SOUNDBITE (German) GUIDO WESTERWELLE, HEAD OF GERMAN OPPOSITION FREE DEMOCRATS, SAYING: "I think that a referendum about the European constitution in Germany is necessary. In no way is it acceptable that a majority of the German parliament say throughout Europe people are asked to vote on the constitution but in Germany the population is not of age to do so. In my opinion this is an insult. I want there to be a referendum about the EU constitution in Germany. If the French are allowed to vote on the constitution, I think there is no reason why this should be refused to the Germans." 3.26 12. WIDE OF MEDIA LISTENING 3.32 13. WIDE OF WESTERWELLE TALKING 3.34 Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
- Embargoed: 13th April 2005 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: PARIS, FRANCE/BERLIN, GERMANY
- City:
- Country: France Germany
- Reuters ID: LVAAFTEPXZ7ML0H9B7SVPE6G1BJM
- Story Text: A new poll has shown that the French are
increasingly veering towards a rejection vote to the
European constitution ahead of the May referendum.
Opposition to the new European Constitution is
gaining ground in France ahead of the country's May 29
referendum, a poll published on Tuesday (29 March) showed,
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'.
"One must at the same time be cautious about the
capacity of a poll to forecast the result of a vote that
will take place in two months, and that is something we
keep in mind with every poll we do, in the written
presentation of our results. That doesn't mean however that
one should neglect the lessons and the signs expressed by
the public opinion through these polls. It cannot be
contested, and it is quite exceptional to see in such a
short period of time, a tendency being reversed like this,
through several successive polls. IPSOS and others have all
seen this change of direction which while not definitive
still looks like far more than a change of mood", Pierre
Giacometti, pollster from Ipsos told Reuters Television.
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.
In Berlin, Guido Westerwelle, Head of German Opposition
Free Democrats, said:
"I think that a referendum about the European constitution
in Germany is necessary. In no way is it acceptable that a
majority of the German parliament say throughout Europe
people are asked to vote on the constitution but in Germany
the population is not of age to do so. In my opinion this
is an insult. I want there to be a referendum about the EU
constitution in Germany. If the French are allowed to vote
on the constitution, I think there is no reason why this
should be refused to the Germans."
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