Spanish voters approved the European Union's new constitution by an overwhelming majority in Sunday's referendum -- the first time that a EU country had put the charter to a popular vote. This victory is no cause for complacency, however. The document, signed in October, will not take effect if it is rejected by any member state. One can only hope that the Spanish vote will have a positive effect on ratification proceedings in the rest of the union.
The EU's first constitution embodies the basic principles of European unification. As such, the charter lays out guidelines for integration in a broad range of fields, including politics, economy and social security. It provides for, among other things, the creation of the posts of EU president and foreign minister, the greater empowerment of the European Parliament, and a strengthening of common foreign and security policy. The document also incorporates a bill of rights.
Putting it into effect, however, will require clearing many hurdles, including psychological ones, that stand in the way of integration. These include worries about the effects of integration on national sovereignty, economic disparities between old and new members, and difficulties in harmonizing market-based economic principles with social security policy.