Spanish Congress ratifies Lisbon Treaty

The Spanish Congress has voted overwhelmingly in favor of the Lisbon Treaty, the European Union reform treaty.

The Lisbon Treaty passed through the lower chamber with an absolute majority of 330 votes on Thursday. The Spanish Senate is expected to ratify the treaty before the August summer break.

Most Spaniards agree with their government's support of the document. But they say they would like to have more information and possibly a public consultation about it.

The 27-member bloc's Lisbon Treaty is meant to put an end to more than a decade of institutional wrangling and bolster the EU's economic and political voice on the world stage.

The document seeks to streamline decision-making in the EU and to create a full-time European President.