France's EU vote heralds change

The French 'Non' will change the country's own future

French President Jacques Chirac is expected to shake up his government after the country's stinging rejection of the European constitution.

Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin is expected to be replaced.

European leaders have been playing down the French "Non" as the Dutch prepare for their own vote on Wednesday, in which a "No" vote is now also likely.

The EU foreign affairs chief said the result should not plunge the bloc into a state of "psychological paralysis".

Correspondents say France's rejection of the constitution reflects domestic discontent as well as wider anxiety about the European project.

'No veto'

Mr Chirac, who had campaigned for a "Yes" vote, is widely expected to name a new prime minister and announce radical policy changes during Tuesday's address.

French voters reflect on the historic 'No' vote In pictures

He has already met the main candidates for the post, who include Interior Minister Dominique de Villepin and former Finance Minister Nicholas Sarkozy.

In Brussels, European officials reeling from the result have been pointing to the fact that nine European nations have already formally endorsed the constitution.

"What is of crucial importance now is that we keep on working as we did before and that we do not get into a psychological paralysis," said EU foreign affairs chief Javier Solana.

EU Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson said that France did not have a veto on the constitution and that other member states would want to press ahead.

Snowball effect

The next nation to make its choice on the EU constitution will be the Netherlands, which heads to the polls on Wednesday in its first national referendum in over 200 years.

Polls are predicting that the Dutch will follow the French in rejecting the treaty.

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Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende has urged the Dutch not to be influenced by France's decision.

"The Dutch shouldn't merely take the lead from the French but must make their own choice," he said.

The BBC's Bridget Kendall in Brussels says that if the Dutch were to reject the constitution then it might create a snowball effect and influence the mood elsewhere across Europe.

The constitution was finalised last year after long negotiations among EU governments.

Its aim is to streamline EU institutions following the admission of 10 new members last year.

Member states can ratify the constitution through a referendum or by parliamentary vote. Eight national referendums are still to come.