year-old president. A rejection of the treaty would be a big setback for Chirac two years before presidential and parliamentary elections. The constitution sets rules for the EU that are intended to simplify decision-making after the bloc's enlargement from 15 to 25 member states in May 2004. But many French voters regard the referendum as a chance to punish Chirac and his conservative government for unemployment at a 5-year high of 10.2 percent and other economic problems. "I voted 'No' in all conscience, having read the text, due to the lack of will to solve Europe's number one problem today, which is unemployment," said Armel Bompart, 52, a civil servant in Strasbourg, home to the European parliament. Others such as Burgundy restaurateur Jose Robalo said he changed his mind at the last minute to back the constitution despite deep misgivings about European integration. --more 2235 Local Time 1935 GMT
