Germans approve rescue plan

Germany\'s parliament has approved the country\'s contribution to a 750 billion euro rescue deal for the eurozone.



The German contribution is key to the plan, and would amount to up to 148 billion.



The German lower house, voted by 319 votes to 73 in favour of Germany\'s participation in the bail-out, with 195 abstentions.



Two opposition parties, the Social Democrats and the Greens, abstained, while the Left Party voted against.



The vote on the package, which is designed to shore up the finances of struggling eurozone countries, comes as an EU finance ministers meets in Brussels to discuss ways to prevent a repeat of the economic crisis in Greece.



The ministers are expected to propose changes to EU budget rules to tighten up financial regulation.