[pf] Greens-Germany: Schroeder Wins Vote - Coalition Still Seen Shaky

 17-11-01 03:09 am Regular International 
Schroeder Wins Vote But Coalition Still Seen Shaky

Berlin, Nov 16 Reuters - German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder won  a vote of confidence yesterday, averting the collapse of his  government over a mobilisation of troops to Afghanistan but failing  to quell doubts about its stability.  Schroeder won the parliamentary confidence motion with 336 votes,  just two more than the minimum of 334 he needed, after a number of  pacifist rebels in his Greens junior coalition partner backed down  and reluctantly supported him. 

Schroeder had called the vote in a gamble to ensure he got  majority backing from his own coalition to support the United States  with up to 3900 troops -- a central plank of his policy to give  Germany a bigger world role. 

The crisis was sparked by Germany's constitutional obligation to  request parliament's approval for troop deployments, a legacy of its  militaristic past. 

``As you can imagine, I'm delighted to be able to continue to do  my work for Germany,'' Schroeder told a news conference. ``This  decision shows that when things get serious, this coalition sticks  together. Now let's get to work!'' 

Friday's vote was only the fourth confidence vote in German  post-war history. 

But the victory is not expected to end turbulence in the  coalition of Social Democrats (SPD) and Greens, many of whom remain  critical of the US bombing raids on Afghanistan in response to the  September 11 attacks on US landmarks. 

Many ordinary Greens, who have roots in the pacifist movement,  bitterly oppose a German military involvement and could still force  their leaders to quit the government at a party congress on November  24. 

Opposition leaders poured scorn on the Greens for caving in to  pressure to remain in government rather than stick to their anti-war  principles. 

``You are trying to cling onto a coalition that does not exist,''  leading conservative member Michael Glos told the Schroeder's SPD  and Greens during the parliament debate preceding the vote. 

``If you break someone's spine, you can't expect them to support  you further down the road.'' 

Addressing parliament before the vote, Schroeder said committing  troops would prove Germany was ready to shoulder more responsibility  after spending decades on the sidelines of world politics since  World War 2. 

``This is about the reliability of our policies in the eyes of  our citizens, our friends in Europe and our international  partners,'' Schroeder told parliament. 

``By making this contribution, united and sovereign Germany is  taking account of its increased responsibility in the world.'' 

The rebels backed down under intense pressure from Green party  leaders warning their ``No'' would bring down the government and  trigger early elections which they were likely to lose. 

The unravelling of Taliban rule in Afghanistan and government  concessions on the troop deployment also helped to win over the  left-wing dissidents. 

The main conservative opposition parties had been prepared to  back the troop mobilisation but said they would vote against  Schroeder when he linked the issue to the confidence motion. 

``I am impressed that the chancellor risked his own political  existence with this vote which affects our central policy of living  up to our international alliance commitments,'' said Interior  Minister Otto Schily. ``The Americans supported us for decades.'' 

Agency: Reuters 
Keywords: GERMANY-VOTE-D/L (with pix) 
Slug: GERMANY 


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