DUBLIN, IRELAND: Opponents of a European Union reform treaty received the backing of Ireland's Eurovision Song Contest flop Dustin the Turkey as voters went to the polls Thursday (June 12th).

"Isn't a shame there wasn't a third box we could tick that just said: 'What?'" said the purple-beaked glove puppet, who tried and failed for European glory in this year's competition.

"That way they'd have to go back to the table, work out a proper way of explaining the thing, and people would know what it is that's on offer," he was quoted as saying by The Irish Sun tabloid.

Dustin's comments reflect a widespread view that the Lisbon Treaty, designed to reform EU institutions after recent expansion of the bloc, is incomprehensible.

Ireland is the only country in the 27-member bloc holding a referendum on the treaty, with indications that the "no" camp could win the day, threatening to plunge the EU into crisis.

Dustin, a cult television figure with an irreverent style marked by periodic belching and flatulence, entered the annual Eurovision Song Contest held in Belgrade on May 24.

But his song "Irelande Douze Pointe" ("Ireland, 12 points"), a high-tempo Europop parody sung from a shopping trolley, failed to fly past the semi-final stage.