A new poll in France shows the 'No' vote for the 29 May referendum on the EU Constitution at 58%, its highest score yet.
Supporters of the constitution were briefly encouraged by a survey published yesterday morning in 'Le Parisien' which for the first time in a month indicated that opposition was declining - from 56% to 52% in a week.
However, a BVA poll for L'Express magazine released later in the day showed the 'No' vote leaping forward with a five-point increase on a similar study carried out ten days before and the strongest showing yet for opponents.
The survey confirmed that the sharpest growth in the 'No' camp is on the political left, where 62% of Socialist party supporters now reject the constitution against the advice of the party's own leadership.
However among supporters of President Jacques Chirac's ruling Union for a Popular Movement, approval of the constitution actually increased to 69%.
A total of 21 polls taken since mid-March have shown that the constitution will be rejected when it is put to the people in less than six weeks' time, and not a single one has suggested that the 'Yes' camp would win.
A survey in 'Le Monde' gave more bad news for Mr Chirac and other backers of the text, indicating that a clear majority of 53% now believe that the 'No' vote will win.
The constitution was drawn up by a team led by former French President Valery Giscard d'Estaing and is meant to simplify decision-making in the expanded EU, which will soon be 27-strong.
It must first be approved by all member states, and a rejection by so important a country as France would stop the process in its tracks.
