Germany ratifies European Constitution
The European Union Constitution cleared its final legislative hurdle in Germany today, with the upper house of parliament overwhelmingly approving the charter, two days before French voters have their say on the document in a referendum.
All but one of the country’s 16 states, which are represented in the opposition-controlled upper house, voted in favour of the treaty – giving the charter 66 of 69 possible votes, far more than the necessary two-thirds majority.
The eastern state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania abstained because the junior partner in its governing coalition, the ex-communist Party of Democratic Socialism, opposed the constitution.
German leaders hope the vote will boost French supporters of the constitution ahead of Sunday’s referendum there. Only President Horst Koehler’s signature is required to formally complete ratification.
Lithuania, Hungary, Slovenia, Italy, Greece, Austria, Slovakia and Spain already have ratified the constitution by parliamentary vote or referendum.
