Schroeder wins key reform vote after threating to quit

[dArKeR]

German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder comfortably won a crucial health reform vote yesterday after earlier warning that his coalition government would fall if it failed to pass the measure without opposition help.

The bill, which will force patients to pay more for medical care, was the first major vote on a package of measures aimed at revitalising Europe's largest economy after three years of stagnation.

"I am very satisfied," Schroeder told Reuters, smiling with relief.

He had threatened to resign at a meeting of his Social Democrats if the SPD and their Greens coalition partners failed to muster a majority, party officials said.

http://www.etaiwannews.com/World/2003/09/27/1064627690.htm