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Vote early, often, and correctly--polls open in France
 | JFM, we anxiously await your observations. I'll be checking in with these fellows during the day as well. The first bottle of wine is on me at the O-club!. |
The French began voting on Sunday in a referendum on the European Union's new constitution with opinion polls pointing to a rejection that supporters say could kill the charter and weaken France's role in Europe. Polling stations opened at 8 a.m. (0600 GMT) across mainland France. Overseas voters cast their ballots on Saturday. France has almost 42 million registered voters. First exit polls projecting the result are expected when polling stations close at 2000 GMT. The Interior Ministry is expected to issue an official estimate for the result after 2100 GMT. The constitution was signed by EU leaders last October in Rome after long and tough negotiations. It sets rules for the EU that are intended to make decision-making easier after the bloc's enlargement from 15 to 25 member states in May 2004. The charter requires the approval of all member states to go into force. If it were rejected, the EU would continue to operate under its current rules but they were designed for a smaller Union and voting could soon become paralyzed.
Posted by: Seafarious 2005-05-29 |
