Spanish opinion poll backs referendum on Maastricht

MADRID - The Maastricht treaty mapping out closer union for the European Community has the backing of 49 per cent of Spaniards, with 13 per cent against, according to an opinion poll in yesterday's El Pais newspaper, AFP reports. There was an even larger majority in favour of a referendum on ratification, 70 per cent to 13 per cent. The government and all the leading political parties oppose a referendum.