Coalition tensions erupt in populist showdown

Germany's two largest parties staked out opposing populist positions on crime and the minimum wage, January 2008, ahead of key regional elections later in 2008, heralding stormy political battles within Chancellor Angela Merkel's ruling coalition.

Deutsche Welle, 8.1.08: Squeezed in State Poll, German Politician Pulls Out Old Tricks http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,2144,3043116,00.html

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