MADRID
Spain's Supreme Court overruled the Canary Islands' autonomous government referendum on Spain's offshore oil explorations planned to be held on 23 November.
The autonomous government of Canary Islands announced on October 2 their decision to hold a referendum against any attempts for oil exploration in offshore waters.
The Supreme Court accepted Spain's objection to the referendum by a unanimous vote and ruled that the referendum be suspended automatically.
The Spanish government approved the Spanish oil company, Repsol's plan to explore oil 60 kilometers offshore from Tenerife and the Fuerteventura islands. However, the autonomous government of Canary Islands together with environmentalists and unions objected to Spain's decision.
The Canary Islands was due to hold a referendum on Nov 23 to address the question on whether its citizens believe in the necessity of a change in the environment and the tourism of the Canary Islands for oil and gas explorations.
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