Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder's party was heartened Monday after faring better than expected in east German state elections
Published:
21 September 2004 y., Tuesday
Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder's party was heartened Monday after faring better than expected in east German state elections, but a strong showing by fringe parties on the right and left raised concerns about the depth of anger over his drive to trim the welfare state.
While Schroeder's Social Democrats lost votes Sunday in both Brandenburg and Saxony, party leaders insisted the tide had turned following six months of heavy defeats in other state and European votes.
The main reason was Brandenburg's popular governor Matthias Platzeck, who passionately defended planned cuts in jobless benefits on the campaign trail and managed to keep the Social Democrats ahead in the state.
"This is a good result. I think it's grounds for optimism," Schroeder said. "We have to keep working hard, and we will."
A month ago, polls had the state's Social Democrats trailing both the former East German communists and the conservative Christian Democrats.
While no far-right group gained a share of power, their success in capitalizing on discontent over the government's welfare cuts drew expressions of concern from mainstream parties, business figures and religious leaders.
Politicians from five other parties walked out of a TV panel discussion Sunday night when the far-right National Democratic Party leader in Saxony, Holger Apfel, launched into a tirade against the political establishment.
Šaltinis:
lasvegassun.com
Copying, publishing, announcing any information from the News.lt portal without written permission of News.lt editorial office is prohibited.
The most popular articles
During Christmas celebration, U.S. president Barack Obama wished for happiness and understanding, Pope Benedict the Sixteenth wished for lasting peace in Somalia, and the Ivory Coast and others but some took a less predictable approach to Christmas.
more »
May the year 2011 be full of happiness, success and original ideas! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
more »
Police in Sudan arrest dozens of women protesting after a video of a woman being flogged in public appeared on the internet.
more »
Ten-year strategy for modern, high-quality vocational training, giving workers the skills to find a suitable job in a rapidly changing economy.
more »
Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin sings at a charity concert in St. Petersburg attended by Hollywood stars.
more »
Dresdners brave the cold to enjoy a slice of the world’s largest stollen as the three tonne treat is hauled through the old town and divvied up.
more »
Activists stage protest in underwater museum in Mexico to warn about climate change.
more »
An American woman freed after 13 months in an Iranian jail, releases a music video to raise awareness for her fiance and friend who remain imprisoned.
more »
Ice sculpture festival journeys around the world's famous monuments and visits history's greatest figures.
more »
Top French chefs cook up gourmet food for surprised commuters in Paris.
more »