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Spanish Voters Register Approval of EU Charter

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From Associated Press

Spanish voters endorsed the European Union constitution in a nonbinding referendum Sunday designed to gauge public support before lawmakers vote on final approval.

About 77% of voters backed the constitution and 17.3% opposed it, official results showed. Turnout was about 42%, the lowest since democracy was restored to the country three decades ago.

All 25 EU countries must ratify the constitution for it to take effect.

Three have already done so through parliamentary votes, and Spain was the first of 10 to hold a referendum.

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Both of Spain’s major parties back the charter, and its approval was expected.

No date has been set for parliament to vote on the constitution.

Polls showed widespread ignorance of the charter. The document, approved by EU ministers in October, is designed to streamline decision-making as the bloc expands eastward, making it more efficient and giving it global clout on a par with its economic might.

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