Crucial French EU vote under way

PARIS - Overseas voters have cast their ballots in France's referendum on the European Union's constitution, with the "No" camp holding its lead in the final opinion polls before a vote that has Europe on tenterhooks.

One survey on Friday showed a sharp drop in the size of the majority opposing the treaty, giving a ray of hope for the "Yes" camp, led by President Jacques Chirac. But another showed an increase in opposition to the charter.

Polling stations opened for voting in French Guiana, the Caribbean islands of Guadeloupe and Martinique, and Saint-Pierre and Miquelon off Canada's eastern coast. France's overseas possessions have some 1.425 million registered voters, a fraction of the total 42 million voters.

Mainland France votes on Sunday. Results from the overseas territories, which also include French Polynesia in the Pacific Ocean, will not be published until after the last mainland polling stations close on Sunday evening (7am Monday NZT).

Supporters say rejection would kill the constitution and weaken France in Europe. Opponents say a "No" vote would force the EU to redraft the treaty and improve it. Rejection would weaken Chirac, although he has said he will not quit.

"Europe stands to be put back years by a rejection and all the existing fears in the population would only be exacerbated," Jean-Luc Dehaene, former Belgian prime minister and one of the key architects of the charter, told Belgian magazine Vacature.

EU Industry Commissioner Guenter Verheugen said a "No" vote would be serious but not mark the end of European integration.

"I do not think it would be appropriate to talk about throwing in the towel and the end of European integration," he told Austrian radio ORF.

The constitution is intended to make the EU work more smoothly following its enlargement last year and requires the backing of all 25 member states to go into force.

Supporters say the constitution will help make Europe and France stronger. Opponents say it enshrines economic policies that have failed to stop the loss of jobs to low-wage economies, including countries outside the EU such as China.

- REUTERS