PARIS - France on Sunday massively rejected the EU's first ever constitution, throwing the future of closer European political union into question and dealing a harsh political blow to President Jacques Chirac.
The following are key reactions from political leaders in France and across Europe:

"Let us make no mistake, France's decision inevitably creates a difficult context for the defense of our interests in Europe." -- French President Jacques Chirac

"Our fellow citizens have decided to reject the treaty. For me -- a European at heart -- this is a profound disappointment." -- French Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin

"We have a heavy heart about this, but we take note of it with the respect inspired by the expression of universal suffrage." -- Luxembourg Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker, whose country holds the rotating EU presidency

"The outcome of the referendum is a setback for the process of ratifying the constitution, but not its end." -- German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder

"The result raises profound questions for all of us about the future direction of Europe. We need a period of reflection." -- British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw

"We are disappointed ... but the process of ratification continues and the result gives the Dutch one more reason to vote yes." -- Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende, whose country will vote on the EU treaty on Wednesday.

"This is an ordeal, a real disappointment." -- French Foreign Minister Michel Barnier

"By saying 'no', the French are calling on us to act quickly and vigorously to change the status quo." -- Nicolas Sarkozy, the leader of France's ruling center-right Union for a Popular Movement (UMP)

"This is a major political decision that will affect us for a long time." -- France's opposition Socialist party (PS) leader Francois Hollande

"We are entering a period of great uncertainty. We will need to redouble our efforts to attract investors to out country." -- French Finance Minister Thierry Breton

"It is a setback for the French president and his government, it is a setback for the ratification process and it is an enormous setback for the prospects of Europe." -- Swedish Prime Minister Goeran Persson

"In these conditions he is no longer qualified to stay at the head of the country." -- France's far-right leader Jean-Marie Le Pen, referring to Chirac.

"I intend to respond by giving a new and strong impulse to government action. In the coming days I will communicate my decisions concerning the government and its priorities." -- Chirac

"I remain true to the pact of loyalty that binds me to the head of state, and I shall support -- with my experience -- the direction which he sets for our country." -- Raffarin

05/29/2005 22:56 GMT