LONDON, October 4 (RIA Novosti) - Over 67% of voters in Ireland have cast their ballot in favor of the Lisbon Treaty setting out rules for decision-making in the European Union, according to official results of the country's second referendum.
A total of 67.1% of voters backed the treaty during Friday's elections, while 32.9% voted against. The turnout was 58%.
The reform treaty, signed in December 2007 to streamline decision-making following the bloc's expansion, cannot come into effect until ratified by all 27 member states. Ireland rejected the treaty 18 months ago with 53.4% of the vote amid widespread disapproval of its military neutrality, and laws on tax and abortion.
The only other EU states that have yet to ratify it are Poland and the Czech Republic. However, Ireland is the only nation constitutionally required to put the decision to a referendum.
Polish Presidential Chief of Cabinet Wladyslaw Stasiak said on Saturday that President Lech Kaczynski will ratify the treaty if Ireland votes in favor.
U.K. opposition leader David Cameron on Saturday reiterated his pledge to hold a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty if his party wins the next year's parliamentary elections to take place in spring. However, by this time the treaty is likely to be ratified and subsequently come into force.
