FRENCH voters delivered a stunning blow to the European Union and their own political establishment yesterday, rejecting the EU constitution by a 10-point margin in a referendum that also inflicted humiliation on President Chirac.

As hundreds “no” campaigners celebrated in party headquarters and the Bastille square in Paris, a solemn M Chirac appeared on television to address the people.

“It is your sovereign decision and I take note,” he said. “The decision of France inevitably creates a difficult context for defending our interests in Europe.” He reassured the country’s partners, saying: “France will continue to play its full role with respect to its engagement in Europe.”

M Chirac, 72, also indicated that he would replace Jean-Pierre Raffarin, the Prime Minister, and appoint a new cabinet within days.

The revolt against the treaty, which was backed by 54.87 per cent of voters, slammed French brakes on Europe for the first time since the French Parliament killed an embryo Defence Community in 1954.

The rejection ensured a grim final two years in office for M Chirac, President since 1995. It was he who had proposed the constitution to Europe and ensured that it carried a French stamp. No French President has lost a referendum since 1969 when Charles de Gaulle resigned after voters rejected a minor reform.

Jean-Marie Le Pen, leader of the extreme right National Front, and other champions of the “no” campaign, called for M Chirac’s resignation, saying that he was discredited.

Sombre-faced Cabinet ministers voiced their disappointment on television while the “no” campaigners of both Left and Right hailed what they called a popular revolt against both an undemocratic EU and an out-of-touch Government. François Bayrou, leader of the Union for French Democracy (UDF), a partner in the Government, said: “This vote marks an extremely grave crisis for France.”

Nicolas Sarkozy, leader of M Chirac’s Union for a Popular Majority (UMP) and chief rival to M Chirac, said that the vote was “a major political event” that had thrown into question the whole way that France was governed.

“France wants a Europe that is more protective, more democratic and more in touch with people’s daily concerns,” he said. His remarks were seen as an attempt to position himself to take over Government if M Chirac decided to appoint him Prime Minister despite their mutual antipathy — a move that some commentators viewed as possible.

François Hollande, leader of the Socialist Party and one of the main victims of the “no” vote, said that the rejection “above all shows the scale of the deep crisis which our country is passing through.” He said: “The French have once again voiced their anger and exasperation towards a head of state who . . . has torn up his promises and refused to listen to the message addressed to him.” M Hollande is likely to lose his own job after two thirds of Socialist voters rejected the party’s call for a “yes” vote and joined a mutiny led by Laurent Fabius, its deputy-leader.

Michele Alliot-Marie, the Defence Minister and one of several possible successors to M Raffarin, said: “This is a defeat for Europe and a defeat for France.” The constitution had been sent back to the drawing board, but Europe would continue as usual, said Mme Alliot-Marie.

Dominique Strauss-Kahn, a senior figure in the Socialist opposition, said: “This is a serious defeat. I am sad. It is very bad news for Europe.

It shows the anxiety of the French. There is an identity crisis in our country.” M Strauss-Kahn, a former Finance Minister, said: “This is the first time that we have broken with our German partners. We absolutely have to find a way of restarting Europe.”

The fact that about half the country spurned the wishes of the mainstream political parties testified to the anger towards the political establishment that has prevailed in France for the past two decades and intensified since M Chirac was re-elected in May 2002.

The main target for voters was M Chirac, whose popularity has sunk to its lowest level since 1997 amid continuing chronic unemployment at 10 per cent.

M Le Pen said: “This is a discredited President. Chirac is deeply implicated . . . he tried to influence it with all his weight.”

Emmanuel Zelez, 32, a film editor, was typical of those who turned the constitution down. He said: “I voted ‘no’ because the text is very difficult to understand. Also, I’m afraid for democracy. The way the EU functions is very opaque. Many people there are not directly elected. I’m not afraid of the implications of the ‘no’. ”

Dominique De Villepin, the Interior Minister, said that 18 of France’s regions and territories only voted for the constitution, while a “no” vote of 60 per cent or higher was recorded in 25 regions, he said, “particularly in the North and the South of France.”

WHAT THE FRENCH VOTE MEANS FOR:

FRANCE President Chirac left battered by defeat; Prime Minister expected to go

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