News, March 05

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EU Constitution approved in Referendum

20 February. A referendum held today to approve the new European Constitution has brought out only 40% of the electorate, of whom just over 75% voted in favour, with 17% against.

Among those against the Constitution are the national left wing party IU, believing that the social clauses are not stron enough and the left wing party of Catalonia, which believes regional rights are not recognised in the new Magna Carta. Most are very grateful for what the EU has done for Spain so far and are therefore more in favour than against. They do not perceive the EU as a threat to their way of life, although this in reality is fast changing, despite remaining very different to that of other EU nations.

The EU began superficially as an economic union only, although deep down it was primarily a political instrument to ensure there will be no more war between European countries. On the whole this has been a great success, although the breakdown of Yugoslavia was thus a notable failure for the EU. Today, the economic interests remain in togetherness, but many fear a not only Godless, but in many ways also totally headless organism of this size.

Much more about the Constitution: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_constitution
Full text: http://europa.eu.int/constitution/index_en.htm

BBC comment: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/from_our_own_correspondent/4201415.stm