1. Skip to content
  2. Skip to main menu
  3. Skip to more DW sites
Live TV
Latest audioLatest videos
In focus
German coalition collapseDonald TrumpCOP29

Lisbon Treaty

September 8, 2009

The German parliament has approved new legislation that will enable lawmakers to ratify the so-called Lisbon Treaty. The accord is designed to streamline operations for the further integration of the European Union.

https://p.dw.com/p/JXrC
Campaign posters for and against the Lisbon Treaty in Ireland
The Irish have already voted 'no' onceImage: picture-alliance/ dpa

The vote was necessary after the country's highest court in June ruled that an existing German law intended to allow lawmakers to ratify the treaty had to be amended to give parliament more decision-making powers in Brussels.

The Lisbon Treaty must be ratified by all 27 member states of the European Union before it can take effect. Aside from Germany, the ratification process must still be completed in Ireland, the Czech Republic and Poland.

The legislation, passed on Tuesday, now goes to the upper house of parliament, the Bundesrat, where representatives of Germany's 16 states are scheduled to vote on it on Sept. 18.

If it passes there, as expected, the law then goes to President Horst Koehler, whose signature would make Germany's ratification of the Lisbon Treaty official.

gb/dpa/Reuters
Editor: Nancy Isenson

Skip next section Explore more

Explore more

Demonstrators hold up the European Union flag during a rally through the streets of Warsaw

German parties remove hurdle for EU treaty ratification

German parties remove hurdle for EU treaty ratification

Germany's ruling parties removed a key hurdle blocking the passage of the EU's Lisbon Treaty after a deal was struck late Tuesday, increasing hopes that the treaty can be ratified in Germany before the upcoming election. (19.08.2009)
August 19, 2009
EU flag in front of the Brandenburg Gate

Germany's top court gives green light for Lisbon Treaty but delays ratification

Germany's top court gives green light for Lisbon Treaty but delays ratification

Germany's highest court has ruled Tuesday that the Lisbon Treaty on European Union reform is compatible with German basic law, but withheld approval for immediate ratification. (29.06.2009)
June 29, 2009
Anti-Lisbon graffiti scrawled on a wall in Dublin

Polls show Irish support sliding as Lisbon Treaty referendum approaches

Polls show Irish support sliding as Lisbon Treaty referendum approaches

Those hoping that a second Irish referendum on the EU's Lisbon Treaty will remove one of the largest stumbling blocks to the EU reform document’s ratification will be disappointed by news that has come out of Dublin. (04.09.2009)
September 4, 2009