Spain approves EU charter

Spaniards have voted overwhelmingly to back the EU's new constitution in a referendum at the weekend. Voters backed the constitution by 77% to 17%, boosting Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero's drive to put Spain "at the heart of Europe". However, critics pointed out that the turnout was low at only 42%. Many voters admitted they had little idea what the EU constitution is about. Spain was the first country to go to the polls on the constitution treaty, but it must be ratified by all 25 EU member states in order to go into effect.