Three-quarters of French people want Syria action put to a vote

A majority of French people polled said they were in support of putting a military intervention in Syria to a parliamentary vote. On Wednesday, France's parliament will hold an emergency session on the Syria crisis, but are only planning for a debate.

French President François Hollande. Reuters/Christian Hartmann

The CSA poll for BFM television published Tuesday evening showed that 74 percent of French people were in favour of a vote in parliament over military action in Syria, with 42 percent “firmly for” a vote.

But France’s Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault said he has ruled out a vote during the debate, which will begin on Wednesday at 16h00. There, he will present "proof" of chemical weapons use by the Syrian regime on 21 August.

According to evidence released by Washington, a chemical weapons attack killed more than 1,400 people.

French President François Hollande can order military action without seeking approval at the parliament, but has followed the lead of US President Barack Obama in gauging political and public opinion before making a decision.

Obama has sought Congressional approval on whether to intervene in Syria, in a vote planned for 9 September.

Last week, Britain’s parliament voted against imminent military action.

While Hollande can order military action in Syria, France is at the mercy of the US’s 9 September vote.

However, President Hollande said on Tuesday that he remained “determined” to intervene, but was vague on the details.

Hollande said that European leaders are expected to meet concerning Syria during the G20 summit in St Petersburg, Russia from 5-6 September.

While the White House said Wednesday that Obama will hold bilateral meetings with France and China while in St Petersburg.