 The Senate vetoed the text submitted by the Congress . The veto was proposed by the People 's Party , which held the majority of the seats , and by the Democratic Union of Catalonia , and was approved by 131 " yes " and 119 " no " votes and 2 abstentions . As a result , the text was sent back to the Congress . On 30 June 2005 it was approved by Congress , which , in accordance with the constitutional provisions , overrode the Senate veto . This was achieved with 187 " yes " votes ( including a member of the People 's Party , Celia Villalobos ) , 147 " no " votes , and four abstentions . The veto override implied its approval as law . The vote was held after Zapatero unexpectedly took the floor of parliament to speak in its support , saying We are expanding the opportunities for happiness of our neighbors , our colleagues , our friends and our relatives . At the same time , we are building a more decent society . Mariano Rajoy , the leader of the opposition People 's Party , was denied the opportunity to address parliament after Zapatero 's appearance , and accused Zapatero of dividing Spanish society . 
