German junior partners fight for political life

IN an attempt to save themselves from electoral extinction, the junior partners in the German government coalition yesterday tried to present themselves as loyal allies of - yet entirely different from - the ruling Christian Democrats. It is unclear whether this political double vision will help their cause.

The Free Democrats (FDP), meeting in the east German city of Rostock, emphasised their loyalty to the coalition, dominated by the Christian Democrats (CDU), and voted to 'continue the successful coalition' with the CDU. At the same time the party sought to distance itself from the CDU by emphasising its liberal credentials. The party criticised proposals to increase police eavesdropping powers, and delegates voted to abolish the 'church tax', despite indignation from within the CDU.

This is intended to appeal to the maximum number of voters, but may have the opposite effect. The Free Democrats are fighting for their life, in European elections on Sunday and in parliamentary elections in October.

To the fury of the opposition Social Democrats, the German Foreign Minister and FDP party leader, Klaus Kinkel, emphasised tactical considerations when the FDP recently abandoned its own presidential candidate, Hildegard Hammbrucher, and supported the CDU candidate, Roman Herzog, instead. The FDP votes enabled Mr Herzog to be elected by a special parliamentary assembly in Berlin last month, instead of Johannes Rau, a Social Democrat and the most popular candidate in the country.

The FDP's machinations may have backfired. The latest opinion polls indicate that it has dropped below the crucial 5 per cent mark which would enable it to gain seats in the federal parliament.

The FDP's declarations of loyalty to the CDU are seen by many voters as mere posturing. It is generally assumed that if the SPD emerges as the strongest single party after the elections on 16 October, and if it is interested in doing a deal with the FDP - then the FDP would quickly change sides in order to stay in power.