Spanish Congress ratifies Lisbon Treaty

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Spain's prime minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero speaks with the minister for Foreign Affairs Miguel Angel Moratinos. Photo: EFE

Spanish parliamentary deputies have voted overwhelmingly in favor of the European Union's reform treaty in the second test for the document since Irish voters rejected it earlier this month.

The treaty garnered 322 votes in favor Thursday, six against and two abstentions making Spain the 20th of the 27 EU states to ratify the treaty in parliament.

The country's main political parties all favored the Lisbon treaty and the result was no surprise.

The treaty is to be put to the Senate for final approval after the summer recess. However, Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos said the government was open to opposition party proposals to bring the Senate vote forward, possibly to July.