Luxembourg backs EU constitution [ Friday, October 07, 2005 ]

Some 230000 citizens went to the polls in the tiny duchy one of the European Unions founding members where voting is compulsory.

The vast majority of Luxembourgs politicians the media and the urban elite were in favour of the treaty and campaigned for a Yes vote to prove the constitution could be resurrected.

A survey in June showed that some 16% of voters in Luxembourg were undecided.

French No campaigners - mainly from the left - urged Luxembourgers to reject the treaty.

Although Luxembourg is Europes richest nation and receives more money per head from the EU than any other there is unease there about the future.

Many worry about cross-border crime immigration and an unemployment rate which is low but growing.