A small telephone poll of 300 people In the Czech Republic showed public enthusiasm for the EU constitution waning for the first time following the referendum results in France and the Netherlands.
The Factum Invenio poll showed 33.7 per cent of Czechs opposed the constitution, with 31.5 per cent in favour, and 34.8 per cent undecided.
While those actually turning out to vote would still give the Yes camp a majority, the latest poll shows the gap between a Yes and a No vote narrowing.
In the new poll, of those who said they would participate in a referendum, 42 per cent would vote Yes, 30 per cent would reject it, and the rest are undecided.
In mid May, before the French and Dutch polls, a CVVM poll showed 51 per cent of Czechs in favour, with a quarter rejecting it and a quarter remaining undecided.
The Czech government said it would continue ratification efforts, although it may seek a two or three-year extension to the original deadline of October 2006 set by Brussels.
Czech president Vaclav Klaus, a vocal opponent of the EU constitution, rejoiced over the French and Dutch results, saying it showed the “deep abyss” between the people and politicians, and calling it a victory for democracy.
The main opposition party, the Civic Democrats, of which Mr Klaus is honorary chairman, has also called the treaty dead and said further ratification efforts would be a waste of time.
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