French voters massively rejected the EU's first-ever constitution, dealing a rude slap in the face to President Jacques Chirac and a potentially fatal setback to the continent's ambitious plans for deeper political union. In a national referendum they voted by about 55 percent to 45 to turn down the constitution, according to three exit counts released as polls closed at 10 pm. The "no" win had been predicted, but the huge margin of the victory deepened a sense of crisis across the European Union.Turn-out was high, at between 70 and 80 percent, reflecting the intensity of the national debate. "This is an ordeal, a real disappointment," said Foreign Minister Michel Barnier, while Defence Minister Michele Alliot-Marie called it "a defeat for France and a defeat for Europe." Chirac appeared on national television to "take note" of the constitution's rejection. He said he would continue to speak out for France in the EU, but said the decision "inevitably creates a difficult context for defending our interests in Europe." Confirming predictions that he would reshuffle his cabinet, he said an announcement would be made in the coming days.
The result was a crushing blow to the 72-year-old president, who put his authority on the line with three televised appeals for a "yes" vote -- warning that rejection would marginalise France's voice in Europe and do nothing to safeguard its generous social model. Instead the public was swayed by fears that the treaty would destroy the country's welfare system, leach new powers to Brussels and shift jobs to low-cost economies of eastern Europe. The result opened a period of deep uncertainty inside the EU because the constitution needs to be ratified by all 25 members. By creating the posts of EU president and foreign minister and streamlining the process of decision-making in an enlarged bloc, the treaty's 448 articles are intended to build European muscle at a time of intensifying global competition.