German court gives Berlin green light to sign CETA

German Constitutional Court gave the green light on Thursday to the federal government to sign the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), a trade deal between the European Union (EU) and Canada.

The Karlsruhe-based top court announced the verdict in less than 24 hours after German Vice Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel and opponents appeared in front of the court on Wednesday.

CETA opponents, who had collected about 125,000 signatures, had appealed to the Constitutional Court to stop the German government from approving the agreement, which would eliminate 98 percent of tariffs between the EU and Canada.

Gabriel welcomed the verdict on Thursday and said in a statement that "the Constitutional Court has cleared the way for CETA."

"CETA is a modern trade agreement, with which we can shape globalization and anchor high standards for the environment, consumers and employees. The various arguments were intensively examined at a detailed hearing," Gabriel added.

Opponent politicians said the judges have allowed the signature only under certain conditions, one being that the federal government must ensure that Germany can exit at any time.

CETA is to be formally signed at a summit of EU leaders and the Canadian prime minister on Oct. 27. A ratification process will be launched afterwards.

All of the EU's national parliaments as well as the Canadian parliament have to agree before it can be implemented. Endit