Franse socialisten komen in december met standpunt over Europese Grondwet (en)

French socialists will make the important decision on whether or not they will be support the European Constitution in December.

The text is to be put to a referendum in France next year, however socialists have been split on whether to support the Constitution which they say is too economically liberal.

Leader of the Socialist Party in France, François Hollande, told the Nouvel Observateur that he hopes his party will say 'yes' to the Constitution after its internal consultations.

"The Socialist Party will decide its position on the constitutional treaty in December. I hope it says yes to Europe".

"But if in the end the question turns into one about Jacques Chirac's fate, let there be no illusions - (our answer) will be no, with all the consequences that carries for the continuation of his mandate", said Mr Hollande.

According to him, the Constitution contains "advances, occasionally insufficient but nevertheless real, on the powers of the European Parliament, on the decision-making methods in the Council of Ministers and on the Charter of Fundamental Rights".

But other leading socialists are vehemently against the constitution. Jean-Pierre Chevènement, a former interior minister, recently condemned the text for being too free market oriented.

Narrow result

The Socialists' decision will be very important for France's referendum - expected to be held in the second half of next year.

If they decide as a bloc that they are against the Treaty, then it will be a huge blow to President Jacques Chirac's efforts to get a majority 'yes' vote from French citizens.

France already has a tradition of narrow votes on EU treaties. The Maastricht treaty, which began the process of monetary union, was passed only very narrowly (51% to 49%) in 1992.

In order for the Constitution to go into place, all 25 member states have to ratify it - many have chosen to do so by referendum.