The European Constitution: Post-referendum in France, May 2005

France chose to organise a referendum on the treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe. The referendum was held on Sunday, 29 May 2005. The very high turnout rate of 69.3% is proof of the interest aroused by the campaign. The 'no' obtained 54.70% of votes cast, thereby breaking the trend of previous referenda on European construction. The aim of this post-referendum survey, commissioned by Directorate-General Press and Communication of the European Commission, is to gain a better understanding of the reasons why people abstained, what motivated how they voted, the perceived
effects of the Constitution and the possible scenarios following what some people have called a 'political earthquake'.

To that end, EOS Gallup Europe, through its partner institute in France, TNS-Sofres, carried out 2015 interviews over the two days following the vote, i.e. on 30 and 31 May 2005, with registered French voters, using the methodology adopted for the Flash Eurobarometer (telephone) surveys.