SPAIN'S CATALONIA APPROVES INCREASED AUTONOMY

VOTERS IN SPAIN'S CATALONIA HAVE ENDORSED A
CHARTER GRANTING THE NORTHEASTERN REGION INCREASED AUTONOMY WITH
ABOUT 74 PER CENT OF THE VOTE, ACCORDING TO INITIAL RESULTS WITH 12
PER CENT OF THE VOTE COUNTED IN SUNDAY'S REFERENDUM, DPA REPORTED.
ABOUT 20 PER CENT VOTED AGAINST THE NEW AUTONOMY STATUTE, WHICH
THE OPPOSITION CONSERVATIVES CHARGED WOULD ENDANGER THE UNITY OF
THE SPANISH STATE.
THE CLEAR YES-VOTE WAS DEEMED A VICTORY FOR SPAIN'S AND
CATALONIA'S GOVERNING SOCIALISTS, ALTHOUGH THE LOW VOTER TURNOUT
DIMINISHED THEIR TRIUMPH.
TURNOUT WAS ESTIMATED AT BELOW 50 PER CENT ON THE SUNNY DAY WHEN
MANY OF THE 5.3 MILLION ELIGIBLE VOTERS PREFERRED TO GO TO THE BEACH.