The Hindu : International : Germans back E.U. constitution

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Saturday, May 14, 2005

International

International

Germans back E.U. constitution

BERLIN: German MPs have voted overwhelmingly to approve the new E.U. constitution in a move designed to boost the faltering yes campaign in France, which faces a knife-edge referendum at the end of the month. Germany's Lower House of Parliament, the Bundestag, passed the constitution with a convincing majority of 569 out of 594 votes. But some 23 rebel MPs, most of them from the two conservative Opposition parties, defied their own leaders and voted against. The Bundesrat, or Upper House, is expected to complete ratification with a vote on May 27, two days before the French go to the polls. Unlike in France and Britain, there has been a distinct lack of public debate in Germany about the merits of the new constitution. Nevertheless, Eurosceptic sentiment appears to be growing. Though the vast majority of Germans are in favour of European integration, there is anxiety about the impact on German jobs of further E.U. expansion.

- Guardian Newspapers Limited 2005

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