Aanhang 'nee' groeit in Frankrijk (en)

A new poll published in Tuesday's Le Figaro confirms an increase in those planning to vote against the EU Constitution during the French referendum, due on 29 May.

This is the fourth consecutive poll in less than two weeks to confirm an increase of 'no' voters.

It shows that 54 per cent of those "certain to vote" during the referendum will say "no", whereas 46 per cent will say "yes" to the EU Constitution, according to Le Figaro.

It also sends an alarming message to French socialists, as it shows that the 'no' voters have become a majority within the Socialist Party (53 per cent, compared to 45 per cent a week ago).

In a week's time, the no vote has increased by eight points amongst the Socialists, Le Figaro reports.

"The heart of the leftist sociological base has been touched", Pierre Giacometti, managing director of Ipsos SA, the society that carried out the poll, is reported as saying.

However, Mr Giacometti thinks socialists and ecologists can still change their minds as the "hesitation level" amongst them is higher than the average in France.

Failed attempt to dramatise Constitution's role

The attempt by the "yes" camp to dramatise the role of the Constitution has failed, says Le Figaro.

A majority of those questioned (52 per cent) believe that rejecting the Constitution would not be a "serious blow to the building of Europe". A majority of socialists also think this way (51 per cent).

On 23 March, French President Jacques Chirac warned against the consequences of a no vote.

"It is certain that if France blocked the European project... it would lose a large share of its authority, which is necessary, in the Europe of tomorrow", said the president.

He had also said he could not imagine that France would reject the Constitution.

However, the survey was carried out for Le Figaro and Radio Europe 1 on 25 and 26 March, after member states agreed to modify the controversial EU services directive.

This law, on opening the market in services, has been blamed for negatively influencing potential "yes" voters in France, as they have been linking it to the European Constitution.

The yes camp lost two more points compared to a survey on 18 and 19 March - before the decision on the services directive.

Another poll published on Saturday in the weekly magazine Marianne had shown 55 per cent of those questioned planning to vote against the Constitution and 49 per cent planning to vote "yes".

Barroso barred from French TV

As hostility to the EU Constitution asserts itself amongst the French, all means are being used to stop the anti-Constitution sentiment spreading further.

Following fears that even ten minutes of European Commission President José Manuel Barroso's i "liberal views" could cost votes, President Chirac put pressure on France 2, a national television station, to stop Mr Barroso appearing on the political programme, 100 Minutes, according to the Financial Times.