Chirac urges French to back EU charter

TWO new opinion polls yesterday suggested France was firmly on course to reject the EU’s new constitution, increasing pressure on President Jacques Chirac, who made a final plea to voters to back the charter.

Mr Chirac made a nationwide television address at 6pm Irish time yesterday, seen as his last chance to persuade voters not to use Sunday’s referendum to punish him and his government for unpopular economic policies.

A French rejection could kill the constitution, undermining France’s role in the 25-member bloc and delaying the integration of new member states.