|
Merkel pushed hard for other European countries to agree to the fiscal compact, designed to limit government overspending, and 25 national leaders signed it earlier this year. Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said Tuesday that "we agreed on the pact after long negotiations. It is necessary." "What we have agreed on in Europe to overcome the debt crisis is agreed and it holds. It will not be made dependent on election results," he said. "Governments act for their countries and not for themselves." It isn't yet clear when the German Parliament will vote on the pact, which needs a two-thirds majority in Parliament. That means it needs the support of the main center-left opposition Social Democratic Party, which wants the government to agree to introduce a financial transaction tax
-- though leaders have stopped short of saying that is a condition. Merkel's government aims to get the fiscal pact passed before the summer. Social Democrat leader Sigmar Gabriel has argued that a vote could take place later.
[Associated
Press;
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
News | Sports | Business | Rural Review | Teaching & Learning | Home and Family | Tourism | Obituaries
Community |
Perspectives
|
Law & Courts |
Leisure Time
|
Spiritual Life |
Health & Fitness |
Teen Scene
Calendar
|
Letters to the Editor