German lawmakers approve Lisbon Treaty

BERLIN, May 23 (UPI) -- The upper house of the German parliament Friday approved the Lisbon Treaty, allowing the pact to clear its last legislative hurdle, German official said.

The Lisbon Treaty is aimed at streamlining the European Union's decision-making. The treaty replaced the proposed EU constitution after that document was jettisoned in 2005, Deutsche Welle reported Friday.

Chancellor Angela Merkel described the treaty as being "good for Europe" and a "win for Germany." She said it creates "nothing less than a new foundation for Europe," the newspaper reported.

President Horst Koehler's signature is required to complete Germany's ratification of the treaty.

Critics in Germany, including members of the Left Party, have signaled they might seek in the courts to challenge the treaty.

The 27 EU member states were asked to ratify the treaty by the end of the year, ahead of European Parliament elections set for 2009.