Inevitable really

Germany has done it - ratified the constitution.

Thus, following on from our recent posting, it seems the obedient Herrenvolk of the Bundesrat have knuckled under and given the "project" their support.

According to the AP report, posted on the Guardian website, the upper house overwhelmingly approved the treaty, with all but one of the 16 länder endorsing it - giving the constitution 66 of 69 possible votes, far more than the necessary two-thirds majority.

Apparently, the only dissenter was the eastern state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. It abstained because the junior partner in its governing coalition, the ex-communist Party of Democratic Socialism, opposed the constitution.

Giscard d'Estaing was allowed to address the chamber before the vote, telling the Bundesrats: "The day after tomorrow, the French will - I hope with all my heart - ratify the constitution by means of a referendum," adding, "The double ratification in Germany and France would mark a historic passage for the future of the constitution and for Europe."

It looks like little Giscard may be disappointed, but who knows? What is certain from this result, though, is that we have already seen something historic – the Rat joining the sinking ship.