By Elinor Blair - 21st February 2005
Spain has said ‘si’ to the European constitution in a poll marred by the country's lowest ever turnout of 42 per cent.
Participation in one of Europe’s most pro-EU countries fell nearly four per cent below those voting in last year's European Parliament elections.
Europe's first ratification vote on the EU constitution will go down in the record books as the lowest public turnout since Spain returned to democracy in 1975.
Those who voted, however showed an overwhelming support for the constitution with 76.7 per cent in favour, 17.3 per cent against. Six per cent cast blank votes.
Although many see the figures as a blow to European democratic participation, Spain’s socialist prime minister José Luis Rodriguez Zapatero said he was “very satisfied with the vote”.
“The support that we have obtained is very extensive, and strengthens Spain's role in Europe,” he said.
European Commission President José Manuel Barroso called the vote, “positive and unambiguous”.
“Spanish people have sent a strong signal to their fellow citizens who will give their view on the constitution in the coming months," he said.
“[The] vote is a yes to a more democratic, efficient and transparent Europe.”
Spain’s European Commissioner Joaquin Almunia was less upbeat admitting the turnout was a disappointment.
“The fact that it exceeded 40 per cent is positive, although it is true we would have liked a larger turnout,” he said on state radio.
Spain’s vote is the first of at least ten national referendums to be held over the next 18 months.
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