1972 French European Communities enlargement referendum

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1972 French European Communities enlargement referendum
Flag of France.svg
23 April 1972

Do you agree with the new opportunities opening up in Europe, the draft law submitted to the French people by the President of the Republic, and authorising the ratification of the Treaty concerning the accession of United Kingdom, Denmark, Ireland and Norway to the European Communities?
Results
Choice
Votes %
Check-71-128-204-brightblue.svgYes10,847,55468.32%
Light brown x.svgNo5,030,93431.68%
Valid votes15,878,48888.39%
Invalid or blank votes2,086,11911.61%
Total votes17,964,607100.00%
Registered voters/turnout29,820,46460.24%

A referendum on the enlargement of the European Communities (EC) was held in France on 23 April 1972. [1] Voters were asked whether they approved of Denmark, Ireland, Norway and the United Kingdom joining the EC, [2] although Norway later voted in its own referendum not to join. The proposals were approved by 68.3% of voters, with a turnout of 60.2%. [2]

The referendum asked: "Do you agree with the new opportunities opening up in Europe, the draft law submitted to the French people by the President of the Republic, and authorising the ratification of the Treaty concerning the accession of United Kingdom, Denmark, Ireland and Norway to the European Communities?"

This was the first referendum to be held in any country relating to an issue regarding the European Communities.

Results

Choice Metropolitan France Total
Votes%Votes%
For10,502,75667.710,847,55468.3
Against5,008,46932.35,030,93431.7
Invalid/blank votes2,070,6152,086,119
Total17,581,84010017,964,607100
Registered voters29,071,07029,820,464
Source: Nohlen & Stöver

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References

  1. Dieter Nohlen & Philip Stöver (2010) Elections in Europe: A data handbook, p674 ISBN   978-3-8329-5609-7
  2. 1 2 Nohlen & Stöver, p686