WORLD : German Merger Gets Final OK
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BONN — A treaty merging the economies of East and West Germany starting July 1 cleared its final hurdle today when it was ratified by West Germany’s upper house, the Bundesrat.
Most of the opposition Social Democrats, who have a majority in the chamber representing the country’s 11 federal states, voted in favor despite reservations.
Nine states voted for the treaty and two against.
West Germany’s lower house and the East German Parliament approved the treaty by overwhelming majorities Thursday.
The treaty will introduce the powerful West German mark and its free market system into East Germany July 1 in the first formal step toward political unification.
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