European Union

European Union's new treaty approved in Germany
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080523/ap_on_re_eu/germany_eu_treaty

The German parliament's upper house approved the European Union's new treaty on Friday — the document's last legislative hurdle in the 27-nation bloc's most populous country. The document, known as the Lisbon Treaty, easily won the necessary two-thirds majority in the upper house, which represents the country's 16 state governments. All but one state voted in favor, giving the treaty 65 out of a possible 69 votes. Germany becomes the 14th country to approve the treaty in parliament.
Only President Horst Koehler's signature — usually a formality — is required to complete ratification. The lower house overwhelmingly backed the treaty last month. Chancellor Angela Merkel has said it creates "no less than a new foundation for Europe."

The treaty would alter the EU's decision-making process, envisioning more decisions by majority vote rather than unanimous endorsement. It would also provide for an EU president and a more powerful senior foreign policy official to give the bloc a stronger voice in global affairs. The treaty replaces a more ambitious draft constitution that EU leaders drew up to govern a bloc whose membership has expanded from 15 to 27 nations in recent years. That charter was rejected by French and Dutch voters in 2005. The new treaty must be ratified by all 27 EU members to take effect. Only one country, Ireland, is holding a referendum, set for June 12.