Bundestag backs EU constitution

GERMAN MPs overwhelmingly approved the European Union’s constitution yesterday after a debate in which the country’s leaders pushed the message that only closer ties can prevent a repeat of the tragedies of the 20th century.

The charter passed 569 to 23 with two abstentions, well above the two-thirds majority it needed in the 601-seat lower house of parliament, or Bundestag.

With cross-party political backing, the charter is expected also to easily pass its final legislative hurdle in Germany with an upper-house vote on May 27, two days ahead of a fiercely contested referendum in France.