Jack throws his distinctive swagger into the OUI campaign and the polls move.

'UNPOPULAR' CHIRAC URGED TO BUTTON LIP OVER EU BLUEPRINT

May 21, 2005 (PA) - European Union constitution supporters are urging French president Jacques Chirac to stop campaigning for the landmark document ahead of a crucial French referendum next week, saying his unpopularity makes him a liability.

“It would be better if he kept quiet,” said Francois Rebsamen, the number three official in the opposition Socialist Party, which, like Chirac, also wants a “yes” victory in the May 29 vote that is being watched across Europe. “His word is counterproductive.”

Rebsamen claimed Chirac and his even less popular prime minister, Jean-Pierre Raffarin, were fuelling opposition to the treaty among Socialist voters who could make or break the referendum outcome.

With the referendum looming, Chirac’s popularity ratings have sunk to 39%, the lowest level since 2002, a new poll by CSA agency showed. That was down nine percentage points from April.

In the same poll, to be published on Monday in L’Express weekly, Raffarin’s favourable ratings slumped seven percentage points, to 22%.

Even allies of Chirac acknowledge that his appearances could turn away left-leaning voters.

“It’s not the best way to bring those on the left to vote ‘yes’,” said Pierre Mehaignerie, general secretary of Chirac’s Union for a Popular Movement party.

At least four recent polls have shown new momentum in the opposition camp – notably after two other prime-time TV appearances by Chirac to campaign for the treaty in recent weeks.

You see. It's no just you. The French also find Jack an insufferable bore.

And then there is this:

MINISTER CRITICISED CHIRAC OVER REFERENDUM

May 20, 2005 (Guardian) - A no vote in next week's French referendum on the European constitution would be caused by the inept leadership and unpopularity of the French president, Jacques Chirac, Tony Blair was warned last month in a memo drawn up by his then Europe minister, Denis MacShane.

Mr MacShane, a knowledgeable pro-European, lambasted the French yes campaign for "the incoherence of its campaign with its mixed messages and lack of enthusiasm or positive argument for the treaty."

The memo, dated April 8 and also sent to the prime minister's European adviser, Kim Darroch, accused the French political class of a "lack of leadership in explaining, defending, promoting the EU ... not as extension of France and French interests".

French opposition to the constitution stemmed from the hugely unpopular EU enlargement, he said, which French voters believe is diverting "their CAP cash to eastern Europe and the Balkans".

He argued that the French regarded Turkey, a poor Muslim nation, as "a threat to secular, rich, nationalist France".