GERMANY:A NEW row broke out in Germany's Social Democratic party (SPD) yesterday after its officials in the state of Hesse agreed to work with the radical Left party to form a government in the state parliament.
Meeting in Wiesbaden on Tuesday night, SPD officials in Hesse approved the formation of a minority government by its regional leader, Andrea Ypsilanti, with the backing of the Left.
Although Left ministers would not be offered jobs in the cabinet, a deal would mark the first time the SPD and the Left party worked together in a large western state.
SPD leaders, who are part of a federal coalition with the right-of-centre Christian Democratic party, have vowed not to join with the Left at the national level.
The SPD's centrist wing warned yesterday that the alliance in Hesse would undermine that pledge. Sigmar Gabriel, the SPD environment minister, said Ms Ypsilanti risked becoming a puppet of Oskar Lafontaine.
Mr Lafontaine is a former SPD chairman and finance minister who defected to the Left party. He is now the Left's co-chairman. "As soon as there is a deal, the SPD will become a pawn in his strategy," Mr Gabriel said.
A Forsa poll published on Tuesday showed the SPD close to its all-time low rating of 20 per cent, six points ahead of the Left.
Christian Democrats say a vote for the Social Democrats in next year's general election could bring an SPD-Left party alliance to power.
An inconclusive regional election in February ended in defeat for Roland Koch, the Christian Democratic caretaker premier, but did not give the SPD-Green party alliance enough seats to form a majority government.
Ms Ypsilanti categorically ruled out any co-operation with the Left during her campaign, but made a U-turn after the vote.
Her first attempt to form a minority government was blocked by a single SPD parliamentarian.
Ms Ypsilanti has persevered with a deal rather than face early elections, which she would almost certainly lose.
Even with the support of the Left, Ms Ypsilanti's cabinet would have only a one-seat majority in the house, making her hostage to the whims of individual legislators.
The Left party said yesterday it would insist on concessions. "Do not expect us to swallow everything and deliver the votes," said Willy van Oyen, the Left party's parliamentary leader in Hesse.
Ms Ypsilanti has postponed a party conference to endorse her minority government until after a regional election in Bavaria on September 28th. - ( Financial Times service)