Former PM campaigns against EU constitution

After weeks of shilly-shallying, The former Socialist prime minister of France, Laurent Fabius, has come out against the proposed European constitution, threatening to split the French left down the middle.

After weeks of shilly-shallying, The former Socialist prime minister of France, Laurent Fabius, has come out against the proposed European constitution, threatening to split the French left down the middle.

M. Fabius, 58, previously regarded as a devout European, announced that he will campaign for a "no" vote, first within the party, and then in the nationwide referendum, expected to take place next year.

The former prime minister rejected the text as too right wing, exposing France to "unfair" competition from countries with lower taxes.

The deputy leader of the Parti Socialiste is the first senior figure in France to oppose the constitution, which is likely to be finalised by EU leaders next month. A French "no" vote in the referendum would, in effect, destroy the entire project.

He says the text leans too far towards the Anglo Saxon, free-market and low-tax view of economic and social policy.