Preview ahead of EU referendum
(20 May 2005) RECENT 1. Various activists distributing leaflets and T-shirts for the 'yes' campaign 2. Close up leaflets saying "students for the yes" 3. T-Shirts saying "students for the yes" 4. Market scenes 5. SOUNDBITE (French) Voxpop: "It is best to vote 'yes' for many reasons, such as not being isolated from other countries, for not risking any war. Some people are talking about war if we don't vote 'yes'. That's why." 6. SOUNDBITE (French) Voxpop: "Maybe yes. Maybe no. I'm still wondering. I haven't read it yet (the constitution). I will read it." Reporter's question: "Is it difficult to take a decision?" "Yes, very. It is really important for our children, our grandchildren. I don't know." 7. SOUNDBITE (French) Voxpop: "I think that at the end of the day I am very French at heart. I am not in favour of the dilution (of France) in this uncertain, very uncertain union." 8. SOUNDBITE (French) Voxpop: "I will vote 'yes' " Reporter's question: " Why?" "Because I don't want France to give the wrong signal to Europe even though I don't agree with the constitution at all, on the text of the constitution." 19 May 2005 9. Managing director of the polling firm Ipsos France Pierre Giacometti at desk 10. Close up Giacometti writing 11. SOUNDBITE (French) Pierre Giacometti, Managing Director Ipsos France: "Europe has never been a subject reached by absolute consensus whereas in some neighbouring countries, it is not even an issue. Spaniards are unanimously grateful to Europe. In France, French society is rather more concerned about what the globalisation of the economy means today. And it could mean that Europe will suffer the consequences of that." 12. Cutaway of the polls 13. SOUNDBITE (French) Pierre Giacometti, Managing Director Ipsos France: "In the heart of the left-wing electorate, there is an instability and a lack of decisiveness that has been very pronounced since the start of the most active part of the campaign. Today, the majority of the left-wing supporters in France would vote 'no'. And within the socialist electorate, the situation is very divided. Most of the right-wing voters would today vote 'yes', but nearly 30 percent of this moderate right-wing electorate is tempted by the 'no' vote. This explains why the 'no' vote is currently the favourite in this referendum, ten days before the day." RECENT 14. Various electoral posters in street STORYLINE: A new poll released on Friday has found the majority of French people would vote 'no' in the 29 May referendum on the landmark European Union constitution. The poll found 53 percent of respondents planned to vote "no", and 47 percent of respondents planned to vote "yes" to the text. Three polls published last Tuesday also had shown opponents of the landmark treaty edging ahead in the countdown to the vote. Pollsters say the 'no' voters' mostly reside in left-leaning working and middle classes who fear closer ties to the EU would spur a loss of jobs to new member countries where labour costs less and social protections are fewer than in France. Managing director of the polling firm Ipsos Pierre Giacometti said "French society is rather more concerned about what the globalisation of the economy means today." Many French may also want to use the EU constitution referendum to register discontent with Chirac's government, which is blamed for not having done enough to bring down a 10 percent unemployment rate and repair the sickly French economy. There are also prominent politicians in the "No" camp. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter: / ap_archive Facebook: / aparchives Instagram: / apnews You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...
