Chirac pledges EU poll 'before summer'

French President Jacques Chirac has said that his country will have a referendum on the European Constitution before the summer.

"I have decided that the European Constitution will be submitted to you by referendum before the summer", said Mr Chirac in a televised New Year's address.

"You, the sovereign people, will be called on to choose your own destiny."

The French president, who had previously suggested the referendum would be in the second half of 2005, said approving ...