French MPs have voted in favour of amending their country's constitution to allow adoption of the EU Lisbon Treaty. Prime Minister Francois Fillon called the decision: "a vote that distinguishes the actors of history from the spectators." The Versailles assembly, bringing together both the French Senate and the Chamber of Deputies, voted 560 to 181. Of the 893 voters present, 741 votes were cast The opposition Socialists, while in favour of the treaty, largely abstained in protest at the decision to "take the parliamentary road" to pass the treaty rather than hold a referendum. The party, however, is very much divided on the issue. Although ahead of the vote, the Socialists had announced they were all to abstain, many voted for the amendment and many voted against.
Both houses of the French Parliament voted on Monday, Feb. 4, in Versailles to approve a revision of the country's constitution necessary for a ratification of the new EU reform treaty. The modifications were approved by a vote of 560 to 181. Three-fifths of the 577 deputies from the National Assembly and 330 senators had to vote in favor of the changes for them to become valid. 152 lawmakers abstained. The vote paves the way for a ratification of the so-called Lisbon Treaty. The French National Assembly is expected to vote on Thursday to adopt the treaty itself, followed by the Senate and a final ratification by French President Nicolas Sarkozy.
The modifications were approved by a vote of 560 to 181. Three-fifths of the 577 deputies from the National Assembly and 330 senators had to vote in favor of the changes for them to become valid. 152 lawmakers abstained.
The vote paves the way for a ratification of the so-called Lisbon Treaty. The French National Assembly is expected to vote on Thursday to adopt the treaty itself, followed by the Senate and a final ratification by French President Nicolas Sarkozy.
