Giscard: Frans referendum over Grondwet kan in voorjaar 2005 (en)

EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS - France could hold a referendum on the Constitution next spring, according to former French president Valéry Giscard d'Estaing.

Speaking in Brussels on Monday (21 June), Mr Giscard said "things do seem to be pointing in the direction of a referendum" referring to the fact that Dominque de Villepin, the French interior minister, spoke out in favour of a poll on Sunday.

Moreover, the day after the Constitution was signed, every party, including President Jacques Chirac's own centre-right UMP, called on him to hold a vote on the text, according to Le Nouvel Observateur.

Mr Giscard said that he thought a referendum "could well take place in spring 2005".

But like other politicians, the architect of the draft Constitution adopted by EU leaders on Friday, was wary of the problems that are likely to occur with ratification.

"We have to prepare the ground thoroughly", he said while warning against some leaders who have "got into the habit of deflecting certain problems to the European level".

Constitution to stabilise the system

When asked what benefits the Constitution gives to people, Mr Giscard said "it is important because of the need to stabilise the system".

He said that he hoped that when people saw the size of China and India, it would make them realise that Europe has to pull together.

"We have got to be able to pull our weight with the big players".

Constitution to enter into force in July 2006

But he acknowledged that there is a chance that many countries will reject the text - "in which case there will be no Constitution".

He called for a "co-ordination" of referenda between member states to reduce the chances of this happening.

In case all 25 member states do approve the Constitution, Mr Giscard said it is likely to come into force on 1 July 2006.

If France does have a referendum, it will be one of up to nine other countries planning to do the same including the UK, Ireland, Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, the Czech Republic, Spain and Portugal.