1972 French European Communities enlargement referendum

1972 French European Communities enlargement referendum

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 % Yes 10,847,554 68.32% No 5,030,934 31.68% Valid votes 15,878,488 88.39% Invalid or blank votes 2,086,119 11.61% Total votes 17,964,607 100.00% Registered voters/turnout 29,820,464 60.24%

A referendum on the enlargement of the European Communities (EC) was held in France on 23 April 1972. Voters were asked whether they approved of Denmark, Ireland, Norway and the United Kingdom joining the EC, 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%.

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	%
For	10,502,756	67.7	10,847,554	68.3
Against	5,008,469	32.3	5,030,934	31.7
Invalid/blank votes	2,070,615	–	2,086,119	–
Total	17,581,840	100	17,964,607	100
Registered voters	29,071,070	–	29,820,464	–
Source: Nohlen & Stöver