Amsterdam  - The Dutch parliament Thursday voted in favour of the Lisbon treaty leading to a reform of the European Union.

The three coalition parties - Labour, Christian Democrats and Christian Union voted in favour, supported by the Liberal VVD party from the opposition.

The leftist Socialist Party and smaller opposition parties rejected the treaty.

According to Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende, the Lisbon treaty was "substantially different" from the previous plans for a European Constitution.

In 2005, the Dutch and French voted against a European constitution in national referendums.

Speaking in parliament on Thursday, Balkenende emphasized that the Lisbon treaty could not be considered a constitution, and therefore no new referendum was required. (dpa)