Franse socialisten verdeeld over Europese Grondwet (en)

The French opposition Socialist party are becoming increasingly split on their position on the new European Constitution after a leading member - former French prime minister Laurent Fabius - said he was "very reticent" on the issue.

According to Le Monde, Mr Fabius said, "we will discuss it together in the party, but I find it difficult to see myself becoming a vigorous cheerleader for a text which is not going to solve our problems".

"For me who is very European, it's a serious cold shower for my enthusiasm", he added.

Not all socialists share his doubts. Former minister for European affairs Pierre Moscovici said, "Europe with 25 cannot function with the Treaty of Nice ... we have to run the risk of a referendum and assure the conditions for success [in that referendum]".

And the Socialist party issued a communique on the subject from their national office yesterday (22 June) to stress that the Constitution "marks a step forward compared to the current treaties" but that "there are several significant gaps".

It will never be adopted

The French Green Party also find themselves split on the issue. The party is instinctively pro-European, but some members believe the Constitution contains a liberal agenda, which they are against.

Gérard Onesta, a re-elected MEP and spokesperson for the Greens during the recent European elections, said, "the Constitution as it stands will never be adopted by 25 countries".

But others consider the alternative to the Constitution to be a return to nationalism, to which they are implacably opposed. Marie-Hélène Aubert, another MEP, said, "should we say 'no' with the sovereignists and the extreme right. No thanks!".

It remains unclear whether France will have a referendum on the Constitution. The final decision lies with President Jacques Chirac.