Spanish Si

Yesterday's Spanish Si to the EU's draft constitution is no surprise: it was a bit of a no-brainer in Spain.

The EU there is associated with the establishment of lasting democracy and peacable affluence in Europe after decades of Franco's fascist dictatorship. And with the billions of strongly-branded EU Euros invested in roads and infrastructure since.

There was a low turnout (40%). The consitution was "approved" by 78.5% of voters. That´s about one in three of the population. It's not an especially resounding vote of confidence - but then again, not a lot was seen to be at stake. In Spain, the EU project is truly mainstream and opposition is confined to the fringes. This is less and less true as the ratification process proceeds across Europe.