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Spain says yes to EU constitution
By Joe Murphy, Evening Standard Last updated at 00:00am on 21.02.05Spanish voters overwhelmingly endorsed the European Union constitution in its first major test.
A total of 76.7 per cent backed the constitution in a referendum yesterday while 17.3 per cent voted against. Turnout was 42 per cent, the lowest in any vote in Spain since democracy was restored after the death of General Franco in 1975.
For the constitution to take effect, all 25 EU countries must approve the charter. It is designed to streamline decision-making, but critics say it could pave the way to a European superstate.
Three nations have already ratified it in their parliaments. Spain was the first of 10 countries to hold a referendum, with voters in the Netherlands and France to decide on the constitution soon.
Prime Minister José Luis Rodriguez Zapatero hailed the results and turnout figure.
He said: "We made European history because our vote is a message directed to the rest of Europe's citizens, who were waiting eagerly for our response."
