Accessibility links
France Rejects EU Constitution French voters roundly reject the European Union's first constitution. The vote is a blow both to the 25-member union and to French President Jacques Chirac, who had lobbied hard for passage. Many French believe the constitution would threaten the "European lifestyle," according to pollsters.

World

In Vote, France Rejects EU Constitution

Heard on All Things Considered

France Rejects EU Constitution

Listen
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4671916/4671917" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

French voters roundly reject the European Union's first constitution. The vote is a blow both to the 25-member union and to French President Jacques Chirac, who had lobbied hard for passage.

Many French believe the constitution would threaten the "European lifestyle," according to pollsters.

The constitution is aimed at strengthening European unity and streamlining E.U. bureaucracy. But each of the union's members must approve the document for it to take effect. The Netherlands is set to vote on the constitution later this week.