German parliament approves EFSF boost

The German parliament (Bundestag) approved on the 29 September 2011 crisis measures to bolster the €440bn eurozone rescue fund with a large majority, in spite of the rebellion of a handful of conservative government supporters.

The vote was carried by 523 votes to 85, with three abstentions, after a stormy three-hour debate that saw the opposition accuse Chancellor Angela Merkel and her government of making the crisis worse with a constant policy of hesitation and small steps forward.

Six further eurozone countries need to ratify the EFSF deal, including the Slovak Republic, which is considered to be the biggest obstacle.

ESO: Background information: Merkel’s eurozone battles far from over http://www.europeansources.info/record/merkels-eurozone-battles-far-from-over/

BBC News, 29.9.11: German parliament approves expanded EU bailout fund http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-15107538

Deutsche Welle, 29.9.11: Merkel's government survives coalition stress test in euro vote http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,15425407,00.html

EUObserver, 29.9.11: Merkel coalition easily passes EU rescue-fund vote http://euobserver.com/19/113776

EurActiv, 29.9.11: German ratification turns spotlight on Slovakia http://www.euractiv.com/euro-finance/german-ratification-turns-spotli-news-508017

France24, 29.9.11: German lawmakers vote to expand powers of eurozone bailout fund http://www.france24.com/en/20110929-germany-merkel-cdu-vote-bailout-expansion-eurozone-vote-economy-finance

Spiegel Online International, 29.9.11: German Parliament Passes Euro Fund Expansion http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,789074,00.html

http://www.efsf.europa.eu/ http://www.efsf.europa.eu/

Deutsche Welle, 29.9.11: European leaders celebrate Germany's crucial bailout vote http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,15427283,00.html

Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, 30.9.11: Merkel saves euro – and her own skin (via PressEurop) http://www.presseurop.eu//en/content/news-brief-cover/1009261-merkel-saves-euro-and-her-own-skin

PressEurop, 30.9.11: No miracle for the euro http://www.presseurop.eu//en/content/editorial/1008781-no-miracle-euro

EUObserver, 30.9.11: Slovakia poses increasing threat to EU bail-out fund http://euobserver.com/19/113793

Deutsche Welle, 30.9.11: Marathon effort to secure euro bailout deal closes in on finish line http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,15427827,00.html

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