French Socialists' split over Constitution deepens

The launch of a left-wing committee to support the 'oui' vote for the 2005 referendum on the EU Constitution has widened existing divisions among French Socialists. 

The announcement, which came on 4 August, has prompted reactions from those opposing the text of the Constitution as it currently stands. In an opinion piece published by French daily newspaper  Le Monde , a group of six, including MPs and ex-minister Paul Quilès asked: "Should we vote yes at all costs for the sole reason that it is essential to move forward?" They then added there was plenty of time to improve the Constitution before it enters into force at the end of 2009.

In particular, they oppose the unanimity voting rule in Council on tax issues, one of Tony Blair's 'red lines'. They also challenged the complex decision-making system for qualified majority voting in the Council of Ministers as being against the community spirit, predicting it will "paralyse" the EU.

The 'oui' committee [full name - 'comité de la gauche pour le oui'] was created on 4 August and has gained the support of two Socialist heavyweights, former ministers Elisabeth Guigou and Bernard Kouchner, as well as mayors and senators. "We strongly wish to convince the French left-wing, today divided over the issue, that we have to support this project, in agreement with socialists and socio-democrat parties in Europe," the group said in a statement quoted by  Le Monde .

However, they were quick to play down their enthusiasm. "Despite the reservations we have on the Constitution project, a compromise text that does not exactly correspond to what we would have wished for, its approval seems for us essential to give Europe every chance and strengthen European democracy".

Divisions among the French Socialists became apparent after President Jacques Chirac announced a referendum on the Constitution on 14 July.

The head of the Socialist party François Hollande has promised to hold an internal referendum on the issue with the schedule and procedure still to be decided at a national council at the end of September.