THE European Union's draft constitution is in danger of being
felled by a right-left combination punch from either side of the
Channel. The French and British governments have promised
referendums on the document, which provides a single
constitutional framework for an EU of 25 countries and counting.
In Britain, opinion polls suggest that the constitution will be
rejected—though the vote will probably not take place until
2006. In France, most pundits had assumed that there would be a
yes when the vote takes place in the autumn of next year. But
last week Laurent Fabius, a former Socialist prime minister and
would-be president, said that he would campaign against the
constitution unless it is changed—thus splitting his party and
ensuring that the no campaign will no longer consist only of
fringe parties. A French no is now distinctly possible: a poll
in Le Point this week showed only 51% of voters planning to vote
yes.  But if Britain and France both turn down the constitution,
they are likely to do so for e