German President Horst Koehler on Saturday signed into law a bill committing Germany to its share of a 750-billion-euro (930-billion-dollar) eurozone rescue system aimed at bailing out stricken euro member states, dpa reported. The bill was narrowly approved in parliament the previous day, where it was carried by Chancellor Angela Merkel's centre-right coalition majority, with 319 votes in favour, 73 against and 195 abstentions. As the largest eurozone economy, Germany would contribute up to 148 billion euros in credit guarantees if the full rescue package is ever implemented in any of the 16 countries that have adopted the EU's single currency. The bill was challenged by Peter Gauweiler, a maverick legislator, who filed a complaint with the country's Constitutional Court, arguing that it contravened the Maastrict Treaty's rules on the stability of the euro. -- SPA
