In peilingen staan voorstanders in Frankrijk weer op voorsprong (en)

EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS - Two new polls have sparked optimism that the yes side may be regaining the edge in the debate about the European Constitution in France.

Conducted over the weekend, one poll gave the yes side a majority, showing 52 per cent in favour, while the second showed that the percentage of those in favour of the Constitution had risen by four points to 48 per cent.

This is the first time in six weeks that the yes camp has gained any ground with the last series of surveys consistently showing the no side ahead.

The possibility that France may reject the Constitution at the end of this month has struck fear into the heart of the Brussels establishment, which has taken to putting controversial issues on the backburner for fear of upsetting fragile French sentiment ahead of the vote.

A no would also be a huge political embarrassment to president Jacques Chirac who has started to campaign actively in favour of the document.

In mid-April, he took part in a televised debate with French youngsters to try and re-connect with the public.

And last week, Mr Chirac was able to use the maiden flight of the Airbus A380, the biggest air passenger carrier in the world and built in Toulouse, as an example of the benefits of co-operation in the EU.

Other French politicians have also been active.

Last week, former Socialist prime minister Lionel Jospin entered the fray in favour of the Constitution.

There have also been numerous predictions of what a French no would mean for Europe.

Last week, the vice-president of the European Commission, Franco Frattini said a no from the French would be more serious than a no from UK citizens.

He also indicated that the Constitution would have to be re-negotiated - an option that has been rejected by the current head of the EU, Luxembourg's prime minister Jean-Claude Juncker.

Portugal to go ahead despite French no

But while it is reported that the UK's Tony Blair would gladly abandon next year's planned referendum if France were to say no, other countries have said they will go ahead anyway.

Portugal's foreign minister Diogo Freitas do Amaral told Portuguese radio on Saturday (30 April) that his country would carrry on with its referendum - the date has yet to be decided - regardless of how France votes, reports AFP.

Ireland has taken the same position. In April, prime minister Bertie Ahern told the Irish parliament the government would hold a referendum next year on the Constitution even if other countries reject it.

Similarly, the Netherlands is expected to go ahead with its referendum which comes just two days after France's poll, on 1 June.

*The poll putting the yes side in the majority (52 per cent) was carried out by TNS-Sofres and Unilog for Le Monde, while the other poll which put the yes side at 48 per cent was carried out by Ifop for the Sunday newspaper, Journal du Dimanche.