Kölner Stadtanzeiger (translation my own): “The Bundestag (German Federal Parliament) approved the EU constitution with an overwhelming majority of 95.8 percent (significantly more than the necessary 2/3 majority -Ed.). In a role-call vote, … 569 members voted in favor of the ratification bill, with 23 opposed…”
The vote was proceeded by very little public debate. One opposing group submitted a petition containing some 21,000 signatures; on the other side, both organized labor and business organizations voiced support for approval.
The matter now goes to the Federal Council (which is made up of the state governments), which is expected to grant its consent on 27 May, thereby formally ratifying the constitution.
(A referendum as in e.g. France was never an option as this is not an instrument recognized in Germany’s Basic Law).
Thanks for keeping us up to date – outstanding link to German news.
Referenda in France and the Netherlands are cliff hangers. In the Netherlands it’s not a binding referendum, it’s parliament to decide. The parties in the opposition from the left and far-right will follow a clear vote by the people.
The Dutch citizens have a large group of 30% who have no stability in voter projection, but shift on weekly basis. I expect the polls to have a large error, and the Dutch as one of six founders of EU will ratify, or vote YES.
Oui – Liberté – Egalité – Fraternité
While fact-checking this I came across something – on what looked like a reputable site – that stated that the Dutch government had pledged to adhere to the referendum’s result if more than 30% of the population voted.
Is that site mistaken? And is such a low turnout really likely?
Well, let me first say that I´m a German generally supporting the EU “project”.
However I´ve become worried lately.
Remember the trial at the German constitutional court concerning the EU arrest warrant?
With German parliament members as witnesses admitting that they haven´t even read the proposal before voting for it?
I suspect it´s the same thing here.
Was it “Report” or “Panorama”?
A German political TV “magazine” on the day of the vote asked several parliament members some questions about the new EU constitution.
You know, questions about the content of the new constitution. The results weren´t pretty.
I can only conclude that most of the members don´t even know what they´ve voted for.
And THAT is worrying me!
Along with the “…very little public debate…” quote.
That is causing resentment…
Politicians voting for something without debating it with their voters.
Read this “Der Spiegel” article for a summary:
http://service.spiegel.de/cache/international/spiegel/0,1518,355485,00.html