Angela Merkel's government threatened with collapse

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Guardian

Angela Merkel's government threatened with collapse
• German coalition faces trouble on several fronts
• Election of new president could prove to be catalyst
Kate Connolly guardian.co.uk,
Monday 14 June 2010 18.37 BST

German chancellor Angela Merkel's centre-right coalition government looked to be close to collapse today, weakened by a string of disagreements and intense infighting over austerity cuts, policy reform and the departure of senior conservatives.

Less than eight months after it took office, the government was given only a narrow chance of running to a full term by the majority of Germans, 53% of whom said in a poll they expected it to fall.

"Either we get things sorted out in Berlin, or it will soon be the end for the coalition," said Jorg-Uwe Hahn, head of the Hessen branch of the Free Democrats (FDP), the junior coalition allies of the Christian Democrat Union (CDU) and its Bavarian sister party, the CSU. Renate Künast, leader of the opposition Greens, said: "The phrase 'new elections' is in the head and the heart of anyone who is thinking in a politically responsible way."

Merkel called at the weekend for the government partners to bury the hatchet over their disagreements after a week when relations reached such a low that members of her government had variously referred to each other as "wild pigs" and "gherkin troops" (rank amateurs).


Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/jun/14/angela-merkel-germany-coalition-collapse

[Ian David]

1. She could probably use a massage right about now.

[BobTheSubgenius]

4. Damn. Beat me to it.

[flyarm]

5. beat me to it too..i just said out loud while reading ..she should call Bush for a backrub! eom

[Ian David]

2. Germany's government joins Greece in becoming small enough to drown in a bath tub. n/t

[flyarm]

6. I was in Paris two weeks ago and I will say the retail stores were very nice to we Americans..

for the first time in a very, very long time..they seem to want our business and money now!

I had gotten used to being igorned while in retail stores in Europe..now we were welcomed with open arms and kindness. The retail folks couldn't help us enough! Even brought us water while we shopped..wow what a change!! lol

[Ian David]

7. You must have been wearing your Obama shirt? n/t

[flyarm]

8. nope

[defendandprotect]

3. K&R