France's European partners expressed their concern today at the prospect of a "no" vote to the EU constitution in a crucial referendum next month, French Foreign Minister Michel Barnier said.
"All my colleagues are watching extremely closely, worried by the debate in France, which is just starting," he told reporters at an informal meeting of EU foreign ministers in Luxembourg.
A series of opinion polls in France have shown opponents of the constitution, negotiated last year to make the enlarged 25-nation bloc function more efficiently, leading with up to 55 percent support ahead of the May 29 vote.
Political analysts say a rejection by France, a founder member of the EU, would almost certainly kill the treaty, even though several countries have said they would press ahead with ratifying the document. It would cast Europe into a political crisis that could undermine financial markets' confidence.
Barnier sought to reassure France's partners, saying: "I am confident in the ability of French politicians campaigning for this constitution to convince people in the end."
He said the debate was healthy and a rare opportunity for voters to really understand how the European Union works.
"We won't win this referendum with slogans, with insults. We'll only win it by explaining the text," he said.