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.