Chirac Agrees to a Vote on Eu Treaty

Jacques Chirac bowed to pressure from across the political spectrum by announcing yesterday that France would hold a referendum on whether to adopt the European constitution, signalling the start of a fraught campaign to ensure the government secures a yes vote.

Ending months of uncertainty, Mr Chirac said a vote would take place in the second half of next year.

"The French people are concerned directly, and will therefore be consulted directly and so there will be a referendum," he said during his annual Bastille Day interview.

Earlier Mr Chirac watched as British troops led the July 14 parade down the Champs Elysées for the first time, to mark the 100th anniversary of the entente cordiale.

The delay in announcing the referendum reflects the political risks involved in putting the question to the country and Mr Chirac's nervousness over whether he could guarantee popular support for the treaty.

France's decision raises the stakes further for the constitution, which has to be approved by all 25 member countries before it can take effect. Although opinion polls show a majority of French people favouring the constitution, any mid-term vote risks becoming an opportunity for the voters to express their discontent with Mr Chirac.

France has a problematic history with referendums. François Mitterrand had difficulties in 1992 when he called for a national vote on the Maastricht treaty on European economic and monetary union; only a narrow majority backed the treaty.

Last year the government lost a referendum on greater autonomy for Corsica amid speculation that some voters had used the opportunity to protest against Mr Chirac.

The risk for the government is intensified by hostility towards the EU. Although France was a driving force behind the EEC in 1957, this year's enlargement has heightened concern over its diminishing role.

A study by the European commission before the entry, on May 1, of 10 new members showed that France was the only one of the 15 existing members with a majority, about 55%, opposed to enlargement.

Experts said a further complicating factor was likely to be the now near certain EU decision in December to launch accession negotiations with Turkey.

President Chirac supports Turkey's entry but 66% of French people questioned in a recent poll said they were opposed.

"It could be touch and go for a referendum," one Brussels official said last night. "France is increasingly sceptical these days."

The constitution, drafted by the former French president Valéry Giscard d'Estaing, was adopted at last month's Brussels summit and is designed to streamline procedures and decision-making for a union of 25 or more.

It also foresees the creation of an EU president and an EU foreign minister, and is due to be signed in Rome at the end of October.

Mr Chirac was said to be furious at Mr Blair's announcement in April that Britain would hold a referendum, believing, like other EU leaders, that the prime minister would be hard pressed to win a vote, and that the British decision would force him to bow to demands for his own referendum.

The decision will please Mr Chirac's main rival, the finance minister, Nicolas Sarkozy, who has called for a referendum.

But Mr Chirac used yesterday's interview to fire a warning shot against Mr Sarkozy.

He denied there was any antagonism between them, adding: "For one simple reason ... I decide, he executes."