Linkse campagne in Frankrijk voor 'ja' tegen Grondwet (en)

A left-wing campaign involving former Socialist ministers was established on Wednesday (4 August) in France to fight for a 'yes' vote in the referendum on the Constitution.

The group - to be known as the "left-wing committee for a yes" - will work to "inform, explain and convince" people about the Constitution. Their work will start in September and continue until the day of the vote - as yet unannounced.

In a statement issued yesterday, the group said, "Despite the doubts we have about this Constitutional project, which does not exactly respond to what we would have liked, it seems to us that approval [of the text] is necessary to give Europe a chance and to reinforce European democracy".

"We hope to convince the left in France, which today is divided on this question, that, along with all Socialist or Social Democratic parties in Europe, we should support this project".

Supporters of the campaign include former Socialist ministers Elisabeth Guigou and Bernard Kouchner.

The campaign for a 'no' vote is expected to be led by - amongst others - eurosceptic MEP Philippe de Villiers. Mr de Villiers announced last month that he would be launching a campaign in the Autumn.

Opinion polls in France currently point to a 'yes' vote but French voters have a history of making close decisions on Europe.

The referendum on whether to ratify the treaty of Maastricht - which began the process of monetary union that led to the euro - was passed by the narrowest of margins (51-49).