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Topic: Blair and Chirac call truce to aid EU harmony - Angela Merkel to Lead in Germany
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RaptureRH
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Member # 5120
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http://news.ft.com/cms/s/2770c204-3798-11da-af40-00000e2511c8.html
Merkel to be chancellor after deal with SPD
By Hugh Williamson in Berlin and Bertrand Benoit in Frankfurt
Published: October 8 2005 03:00 | Last updated: October 8 2005 03:00
The Christian Democrat leader Angela Merkel is set to replace Gerhard Schröder as Germany's next chancellor, in a political deal that will see the departure of Mr Schröder from the political stage, senior members of the ruling Social Democrats have told the Financial Times.
Ms Merkel's expected victory in the battle for the chancellorship is likely to be announced on Monday, following a meeting tomorrow evening in Berlin between Mr Schröder and Ms Merkel. The two leaders met on Thursday evening for four hours to agree the framework of a SPD-CDU grand coalition, but refused yesterday to disclose details. The talks also included the SPD leader Franz Müntefering, and Edmund Stoiber, Bavarian premier.
Officials close to Mr Schröder said he would not become vice chancellor and foreign minister in the coalition, in spite of pressure from within the SPD for him do so. "The chancellor has done what was necessary, to ensure the SPD is on an equal footing with the CDU in the coalition," one official said.
The election yielded a hung parliament but left the CDU holding four more seats than the SPD. Ms Merkel promptly claimed the chancellorship but Mr Schröder, citing his party's unexpectedly strong performance, refused to stand aside.
The announcement on Monday is set to alter the balance of power in Berlin immediately, even though Ms Merkel is not expected to be formally elected as chancellor until mid-November.
Government officials said it was no longer certain that Mr Schröder would represent Germany at the informal European Union summit near London in late October; it was possible Ms Merkel would attend.
Posts: 163 | From: Houston TX | Registered: Sep 2005
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RaptureRH
Advanced Member
Member # 5120
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posted
Blair and Chirac call truce to aid EU harmony
Jon Henley in Paris
Saturday October 8, 2005
The Guardian
Tony Blair and Jacques Chirac pledged yesterday to set aside their differences and try to serve as "forces of harmony, not division" for a battered European Union badly in need of a "progressive vision".
In a fence-mending exercise ahead of a planned EU summit at Hampton Court at the end of the month, the prime minister and French president met for 90 minutes at the Elysée Palace.
British officials said their dispute over EU spending had not been on the agenda. In June, they argued bitterly over the 2007-13 EU budget. France wants Britain to accept a cut in its annual EU rebate, which London says it is prepared to consider only if the union agrees to review all spending - including the farm subsidies from which France benefits most.
"Everyone knows there can and will be differences of opinion," said Mr Chirac. "But ... we are aware of Europe's current difficulties and aim to make these difficulties disappear and not grow. We are both determined ... not to be a divisive force, but ... to understand each other so that we can be a force of harmony for the Europe of tomorrow."
Mr Blair said differences would always remain on issues such as the two countries' social models, but he promised to work for the greater good. "It's important to see if we can find a way forward for Europe, because that's important for Europe's citizens," he said.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/international/story/0,3604,1587628,00.html#article_continue
Posts: 163 | From: Houston TX | Registered: Sep 2005
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