German MPs OK fiscal pact, euro fund

Over two-thirds of all MPs of the German Bundestag approved the two sets of legislations in a late Friday session, The Associated Press reported.

The lawmakers endorsed the two euro-crisis measures, despite criticism of Chancellor Angela Merkel on her return from a European summit where she made major concessions on support for financially troubled European nations, Spain and Italy.

She called on the parliament to back the projects crucial to stabilizing the 17-nation currency zone.

Merkel said approval of the bailout fund, called the European Stability Mechanism (ESM), and the fiscal pact would send “a signal of unity and determination, domestically and abroad; a signal toward overcoming the European government debt crisis sustainably, and a signal that for us Europe means our future.”

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“With these agreements, we are taking irreversible steps toward a sustainable stability union,” she said.

Merkel was the main architect of the fiscal pact, which has been ratified by 25 of the EU’s 27 members and enshrines stricter budget discipline, aimed at preventing future debt crises.

Only Britain and the Czech Republic refused to sign the fiscal pact that will impose quasi-automatic sanctions on countries that breach European Union budget deficit limits.

The 500 billion euro ESM cannot be established without Germany’s support as it requires approval by countries making up 90 percent of its capital to take effect.

Europe was hit by a serious financial crisis in 2008 and the situation has intensified over the past few months.

Greece has been at the epicenter of the eurozone debt crisis and is experiencing its fifth year of recession, while harsh austerity measures have left about half a million people without jobs.

One in every five Greek workers is currently unemployed, banks are in a shaky position, and pensions and salaries have been slashed by up to 40 percent.

The eurozone debt crisis, which began in Greece in late 2009 and reached Italy, Spain, and France last year, is viewed as a threat not only to Europe but many other more developed economies.

GJH/MF/AZ

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