German court rejects complaint to suspend Canada-EU trade deal
BERLIN — Germany’s highest court has rejected calls from opponents of a Canada-European Union trade deal for an injunction that had the potential to spell an end to the pact.
The Federal constitutional Court ruled Thursday against complaints over the trade deal, known as CETA. Tens of thousands of citizens joined in two of those complaints.
The plaintiffs wanted the government to be forced to vote against approving the accord at an EU meeting Oct. 18 pending full consideration by the court of their contention that it violates the principles of democracy.
Vice Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel, who is also Germany’s economy minister, had warned putting off CETA’s signing could effectively torpedo the accord.