Germany's top constitutional court rejected efforts to block a permanent euro-area rescue fund, handing a victory to Chancellor Angela Merkel, who championed the 500 billion-euro ($646 billion) bailout.
The Federal Constitutional Court in Karlsruhe dismissed motions that sought to block the European Stability Mechanism, while ruling Germany's 190 billion-euro contribution can't be increased without legislative approval. The court said Germany can ratify the ESM if it includes binding caveats it won't be forced to assume higher liabilities without its consent.
"We are an important step closer to our goal of stabilizing the euro," German Economy Minister and Vice Chancellor Philipp Roesler told reporters in Berlin after the ruling today. "It has always been the goal of this government" to establish a "clear limit and to include parliament in all important decisions."
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