Austria passes EU constitution in bid to make 'stronger Europe'

VIENNA, Austria -- Austria's parliament overwhelmingly ratified the European Union's constitution Wednesday, the seventh nation to do so, setting aside fears that the small country would be overrun by bigger EU members once the document takes effect.\nThe constitution was approved by all but one of the 182 lawmakers present. One delegate was absent.\n"It makes for a Europe that is stronger," Chancellor Wolfgang Schuessel said during a debate before the vote.\nAll 25 EU member countries must ratify the constitution for it to take effect, and it is up to each country to decide whether to hold a referendum or just a parliamentary vote.\nBesides Austria, the countries of Greece, Hungary, Italy, Lithuania, Slovenia and Spain have approved the constitution so far.\nSlovakia's parliament also was to vote on the constitution Wednesday, while lawmakers in Germany were expected to ratify it Thursday.\nFrance holds a referendum on May 29, while citizens in the Netherlands vote on the treaty three days later. At least seven other countries plan to put the document to a popular vote.\nThe constitution streamlines decision-making and provides the union with a foreign minister and a president. It also reduces the size of the European Commission -- the union's executive arm -- to make it more efficient.