Spain says Yes

The European Movement (Malta) welcomes the referendum result held in Spain last Sunday. Of the 42.3% eligible voters who exercised their right to vote, 77% voted Yes for the European Constitution and 17% voted against.

The referendum's result was a foregone conclusion given that all the major Spanish political parties supported the Yes vote. This may partly explain the reason why turnout was down at 42.3%.

The result highlights the importance of informing and mobilising the citizens of Europe to achieve a favourable result throughout the EU.

Whatever the arguments, the European Movement (Malta) wishes to echo the words of the President of France, Jacques Chirac, who said that the Spanish Yes vote "shows the path" to the other countries to follow.

France has indicated that it could be ready to hold its referendum as from early May. The other EU countries expected to hold referenda on the constitution over the next 18 months are the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal and the UK.

In Malta, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi has indicated that the vote on the Draft Constitution will be taken in the House of Representatives in July. That same month the Malta Labour Party is scheduled to convene its general conference to decide on what position to take.

The Party of European Socialists within the European Parliament, of which the MLP forms part, supports the European Constitution.

So far, besides Spain, three other member states have approved the Constitution: Lithuania, Hungary and Slovenia.