CTV.ca
World       Sat. May. 28 2005 8:34 AM ET
French prepare for referendum on EU constitution

Associated Press

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PARIS - Europe's landmark new constitution faces a make-or-break referendum in France on Sunday, when a polarized nation decides whether to boost or block the next giant leap forward in a half-century of efforts to unite the continent.

NYTimes.com
French Interior Ministry Says Voters Rejected E.U. Charter

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESSPublished: May 29, 2005

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PARIS -- French voters rejected the European Union's first constitution Sunday, early government results showed -- a stinging repudiation of the ambitious, decades-long effort to further unite the continent.

With about 83 percent of the votes counted, the referendum was rejected by 57.26 percent of voters, the Interior Ministry said. The treaty was supported by 42.74 percent, the ministry said.