German court to rule on bailout fund and fiscal pact on September 12 There was no immediate reaction from the German government, but Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble said after last week's public hearing that he hoped for a ruling before the autumn, Reuters reports. Constitutional Court president Andreas Vosskuhle said during last week's public hearing into complaints that the eurozone debt crisis tools are unconstitutional that the court might opt for a "very thorough summary review," which could take up to three months. "The constitutional court seems to be one of the few European institutions that takes some time in the euro crisis," said ING economist Carsten Brzeski. Constitutional experts say they expect the court based in the southwestern city of Karlsruhe to permit ratification of the ESM and fiscal pact, but possibly signal that Germany cannot cede any more sovereignty to Brussels without constitutional changes probably requiring a referendum. The ESM, which would boost the firewall against debt crisis contagion to €700bn, had been due to come into effect on July 1. It needs ratification by countries representing 90pc of its capital to be implemented - meaning it cannot be launched without Germany, whose parliament has already approved both pieces of euro crisis legislation by a large majority. The court last week heard complaints from groups including eurosceptic academics, concerned citizens and some lawmakers from Chancellor Angela Merkel's own coalition that the ESM and fiscal pact violate German law by taking away responsibility for the budget from parliament. Germany is not alone in raising doubts over recent measures to end the crisis. Financially conservative Finland has said it would consider leaving the eurozone rather than paying the debts of other countries in the currency bloc.