Three votes prevented the collapse of the German government yesterday. After a bitter debate, the Bundestag carried a confidence motion and endorsed a mandate to send troops to Afghanistan.
The Chancellor, Mr Gerhard Schr÷der, said the vote had strengthened his position, but four Greens voted against the coalition in what the opposition called "the beginning of the end of the government".
"This coalition held together, even in a difficult situation. On this basis, I am very happy," said a jubilant Chancellor Schr÷der.
"The Chancellor can only live up to his responsibility to the public interest when his character and his programme have the trust of members of his government," he said, defending his decision to link the controversial troop deployment with a confidence motion.
The unprecedented tactic forced Green deputies to choose between military engagement and the survival of the government. In the end only four of eight dissidents voted against. The government needed 334 votes to stay in power. In the end, Mr Schr÷der secured 336 votes. But his Green Party coalition partners were the real losers after yesterday's vote. Party leader, Ms Claudia Roth, said she was "pleased and relieved" by the outcome of the vote.
But Green leaders, torn between the party's pacifist principles and the desire to stay in government, face a roasting from members at next week's party conference.
The confidence motion overshadowed the original purpose of yesterday's debate, to discuss Germany's first post-war deployment of troops outside of Europe.
Now parliament has cleared the way for up to 3,900 German soldiers to participate in Operation Enduring Freedom, a fulfilment of Mr Schr÷der's September 11th promise of "unlimited solidarity" with the U.S.
Leaders of the opposition Christian Democrats (CDU) tore into Mr Schr÷der, saying he lacked the "unlimited solidarity" of his coalition partners.
"You are playing thoughtlessly with foreign policy because you cannot manage your domestic policies," said CDU parliamentary leader Mr Friedrich Merz. He said Mr Schr÷der "promised everything and delivered nothing". Mr Schr÷der admitted yesterday he will not deliver on his election promise to reduce unemployment to 3.5 million by next year.
French President, Mr Jaques Chirac, yesterday announced that France will send combat aircraft to Afghanistan and will also help to provide humanitarian aid.
