German lower house passes EU's Lisbon treaty
(BERLIN) - Germany's lower house of parliament voted overwhelmingly Thursday to ratify the EU's Lisbon treaty revamping decision-making in the bloc.
The Bundestag voted 515 to approve the treaty versus 58 against and one abstention -- far above the two-thirds majority needed to ensure the treaty is implemented from January 1.
It is expected to pass the Bundesrat upper house May 23.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel lobbied for the treaty in a speech before parliament Thursday, saying it was essential to help the European Union emerge from gridlock.
"Europe will be stronger next year and more self-assured than ever before," she said.
The Lisbon treaty, negotiated under Portugal's presidency of the EU and signed in the Portuguese capital, is aimed at streamlining Brussels decision-making, and replaced the EU constitution rejected by French and Dutch voters in referendums in 2005.
All 27 member states must ratify the treaty for it to be enacted.
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