The European Parliament approved the proposed European Constitution today during a vote in Strasbourg. The vote was overwhelmingly in favor of the measure with 500 voting to approve the proposed constitution, 137 voting against it and 40 abstentions.

Before the constitution can officially take effect, all 25 member states of the European Union must approve it by either parliamentary vote or public referrendum.

Ten countries have announced that they will hold referendums. The first will be held in Spain on February 20th of this year. Two countries have already ratified the constitution, Lithuania and Hungary.

Prime Minister Jean-Claude Junker of Luxembourg urged passage of the new constitution. 'The ratification will not be easy everywhere,' he said. 'Of course the constitution is not perfect, but let's judge this by the yardstick of what Europe needs.'