14 Friday International Friday, February 9, 2018 Merkel’s last-resort coalition faces a chorus of skepticism Conservatives criticize sacrifice of finance ministry

BERLIN: ’s conservatives and to step down. their Social Democrat (SPD) partners faced a “If it happens, the fourth Merkel cabinet will chorus of skepticism yesterday as allies and op- in some respects resemble the last cabinets of ponents alike criticized a loveless coalition deal and Helmut Schmidt,” wrote Kurt that some said showed the German chancellor’s Kister, editor of the Sueddeutsche Zeitung time was coming to an end. newspaper. “This government could be cap- The deal, reached in record time to end tioned ‘Won’t last long’.” months of political paralysis after Merkel had Even that may prove optimistic if SPD leader failed to form a coalition with two smaller par- fails to persuade the party’s ties, faces its first test when the SPD’s member- 464,000 members to ratify the deal in a postal ship vote next month on ballot, the results of whether to ratify a deal which will be announced many never wanted. Two-year review on March 4. But Merkel’s camp The centre-left party was also forced to de- pledge suggests saw its previous four fend a deal that sees govt on years in “grand coali- the conservatives cede tion” with the conserva- the crucial finance min- borrowed time tives rewarded with its ister post in exchange worst poll result in for a fourth term in of- decades in September’s BERLIN: (Left to right) , leader of the conservative Christian Social Union (CSU), German Chan- fice for the woman who national election, and the cellor Angela Merkel, leader of the conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU), and Martin Schulz, leader has dominated European politics for the past slide has continued since. The SPD was on 18 of the social democratic SPD party, pose after giving a press conference in Berlin on Wednesday. — AFP 12 years. Christian von Stetten, a lawmaker percent in a GMS poll conducted before the deal from Merkel’s own Christian Democrats was announced, the lowest reading GMS had (CDU), said the allocation of cabinet posts, and ever registered, and only four points ahead of failed to put a left-wing stamp on the program, mitments on welfare spending, housing and the finance ministry in particular, had been “a the far-right Alternative for (AfD). To- which continues to promise the budget disci- pensions, and worker-friendly labor law re- political mistake”. gether, the two parties, which pline that has been the hallmark of Merkel’s forms. Paradoxically, the political right’s dis- Both camps had to make major sacrifices to have between them shaped Germany’s postwar three governments. It is unclear if they will be may could win over more reluctant SPD secure a deal. The agreement promises an un- politics, barely scored 50 percent. persuaded by his response that the SPD will members. The mass-selling daily Bild said usual half-time review after two years, when the control top ministries including finance, foreign Merkel had sold out. “Chancellor at any parties will reassess the coalition - already being Convincing the SPD affairs and labor. price,” Bild wrote on its front page. “Merkel seen as a possible opportunity for Merkel finally Opponents of the deal say Schulz’s team Schulz’s defenders emphasize new com- gifts the SPD the government.” — Reuters

she has already been questioned by some of your col- Popular French leagues and she gave the same answer.” He said he had not yet considered resigning, but added: “My family minister denies sex comes first, that’s what will guide my decision.” Is it OK to insult the king? Nine vehicles harassment rumors The rumors dogging Hulot emerged after Paris prose- Dutch MPs to debate cutors reopened an investigation in late January into rape allegations against Budget Minister Gerald Darmanin. A THE HAGUE: Dutch MPs were yes- ruling alliance. PARIS: France’s environment minister Nicolas Hulot furi- former call girl claims he pressured her into sex in 2009 terday to debate scrapping 19th- First deemed a crime in 1830, ously fended off rumors of sexual harassment on Wednes- in exchange for helping her clear her name in a legal dis- century laws making it a criminal the law banning defamation of the day, two weeks after another member of President pute. Darmanin’s lawyers have accused her of a “crude at- offence to insult the king, with head of the royal household has Emmanuel Macron’s cabinet was accused of rape. Hulot, tempt to harm” the minister’s reputation and said he was backers of a draft bill saying they been on the Dutch statute books a celebrity green activist who is one Macron’s most pop- suing her for slander. Other ministers have rallied around no longer fit a “modern monarchy”. since 1886. But today it “implies re- ular ministers, appeared close to tears in a television in- Darmanin and yesterday Prime Minister Edouard Philippe But the issue is a hot-button stricting freedom of speech,” ar- terview as he denied the “shameful” rumors. offered Hulot his support, saying there was “no reason to topic in the Netherlands where the gued D66 MP Kees Verhoeven in “It hurts, when it’s wrongful and unfounded. Yesterday doubt his words”. royal family is much loved, and the his draft bill, first put forward in my children were in tears,” said the 62-year-old, describ- France, like other countries around the world, has seen down-to-earth King Willem- early 2016. ing the situation as “a nightmare”. an outpouring of allegations of sexual assault and harass- Alexander has proved as popular “Since 1830, 185 years have Questioned on BFMTV about accusations from “the ment in the wake of the scandal engulfing Hollywood as his mother, former queen Beat- gone by. That’s a good reason to grand-daughter of a famous politician” dating back to mogul Harvey Weinstein. rix, since he succeeded to the update changes to the legislation,” 1997, he acknowledged that the woman filed a complaint Having campaigned for environmental protection for throne in 2013. The lowlands nation he said. Yesterday’s debate is likely in 2008 but said the case was dismissed. “I was ques- three decades, Hulot was among several figures Macron of 17 million people remains one of to be heated, with two conservative tioned at my own request and investigators very quickly brought in from outside politics to brighten his cabinet the few countries to still maintain Christian coalition parties already concluded that there was nothing suggesting the case when he was elected in May. “lese majeste” laws, under which it lining up to argue against the move, should be followed up,” Hulot said. He has regularly been reported to be on the brink of is a criminal offence to insult or de- saying the king was not in a position Hulot was attempting to clear the air ahead of the pub- resigning, frustrated over multiple issues including a de- fame the monarch. to defend himself from any insults. lication of an investigation by a French magazine this week cision to delay France’s commitment to cutting its reliance But the draft bill put forward by The law is seldom invoked however, which has emerged as another cloud around the TV star on nuclear energy to 50 percent until after 2025. the progressive D66 party-a mem- and carries a maximum of five years who has faced a difficult start to his life as a politician. After filing a declaration of his assets in December ber of the ruling coalition-is caus- in jail or a penalty of nearly 20,000 He also denied suggestions that a former colleague had as required by ministers, press reports highlighted how ing fissures in the fragile four-party euros ($24,500). — AFP accused him of harassment. the eco-warrior owned nine motor-engined vehicles, in- “The answer is no,” he said. “The worst thing is that cluding an SUV. — AFP