German stocks up 0.9% ahead of debt reform vote to enable higher defense spend; Thyssenkrupp up 7%

European markets opened in positive territory on Tuesday, with investor focus turning on the German government as it sets out to vote on historic debt reforms.

The pan-European Stoxx 600 was around 0.3% higher shortly after the opening bell, with all sectors and major bourses in positive territory.

Frankfurt’s DAX index, home to Germany’s biggest companies, added 0.9% at 8:53 a.m. London time.

Continental, Infineon and BMW rose to the top of the DAX after gaining 3.6%, 3% and 2.9% respectively.

Meanwhile, the MDAX index, which houses 50 German mid-cap firms, jumped 1.7% higher on Tuesday morning. Its top movers included Thyssenkrupp, up 7%, Hensoldt, which gained 5.9%, and Delivery Hero, which was 4.8% higher.

German shares will be closely watched Tuesday as lawmakers in Berlin vote on reforms to the country’s so-called debt brake rule to enable a rise in public borrowing in order to fund a hike in defense spending.

The motion, which requires a change to the German Constitution, needs backing from two-thirds of the lawmakers elected to the country’s parliament.

Traders will also be keeping an eye on talks between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin on Tuesday in which they’re expected to discuss, over the phone, a potential 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine and Russia’s conditions for agreeing to a pause in the war.

Asia-Pacific markets rose overnight, tracking gains on Wall Street, which ticked up after U.S. retail sales data appeared to ease recession concerns. U.S. stock futures edged down Monday night.