france rejects charter

PARIS, May 29 (UPI) -- France became the first European country to reject the new EU constitution by 54.5 and 55.6 percent, according to initial exit polls.

Turnout was high at about 70 percent. Some 44 percent of French who voted endorsed the charter.

France's vote marks a blow for the EU -- and may help embolden the Dutch to reject the constitution in their own referendum June 1. Polls also show the "no" vote prevailing.

The result also marks a major defeat for 72-year-old French President Jacques Chirac, and may dash his chances to run for a third presidential term, in 2007.