03/10/2005 (Agence Europe) - Asked about whether the French would hold a new referendum on the Constitution in an interview published in the Journal du Dimanche on 2 October, Valery Giscard d'Estaing, former Chairman of the European Convention, said it was too early to say. There would be a lot of new elections in France because there'll be a new President and a new parliament and what will the French think since they have already decided on Europe? If they elect someone who calls for a yes vote, that could be seen as endorsing the Constitution, but it will still need to be formally ratified using a procedure still to be determined. He added that in his view, the Constitution was not dead and its gravediggers will disappear before the Constitution does. Asked about President Barroso's comments suggesting the Constitution was in fact dead (see EUROPE 9032), Giscard d'Estaing said his comments were regrettable - it is not Barroso's business and does not come under his power. He should get on with the job of running the Commission and seems to be forgetting that more than half the countries in Europe have already ratified the Constitution. He is hardly in the situation to give lessons to their governments and parliaments, grumbled Giscard d'Estaing.