PARIS, April 30 (UPI) -- French President Jacques Chirac has refused to commit to holding a referendum on the European Union's new constitution, The Guardian reported Friday.
In a rare televised news conference Thursday night, he attempted to persuade a skeptical French audience of the benefits of Saturday's enlargement of the EU by 10 new countries.
He said the move was a "giant step" which would see Europe asserting itself as "a first-class economic power" leading to growth and employment.
Chirac ducked the question of a French referendum on the constitution, saying one option was a joint vote of both the National Assembly and the Senate. "It is too early to decide on one or the other option," he said.
Chirac is reportedly furious at British Prime Minister Tony Blair for changing his mind and giving a green light to a referendum in Britain, as it opened the door to a similar demand in France.
Every one of the EU's 25 members will have to ratify the constitution in June. Failure of just one would mean lengthy debate and possibly years of redrafting.
