By JUDY DEMPSEY
— Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle is coming under increasing pressure to quit as leader of the Free Democrats or change direction as his party, the junior member in Chancellor Angela Merkel’s center-right coalition, drags down the government in the opinion polls.
Ever since it joined Mrs. Merkel’s government in October 2009, the fortunes of the pro-business Free Democrats have been dramatically changed from a party that won 15 percent during the federal elections of September 2009 — its best result ever — to plummeting below 5 percent, according to recent opinion polls. In turn, this has sharply cut popular support for the coalition, from around 48 percent to just 37 percent.
The continuing fall in support means that the Free Democrats could even fail to clear the 5 percent hurdle, which is the minimum required for election to the regional and federal legislatures. That, analysts say, would leave Mrs. Merkel’s conservative bloc considerably weaker.
Mr. Westerwelle’s critics say he cannot be an effective party leader and at the same time serve as foreign minister, a post he received, along with vice chancellor, as part of the coalition agreement. Others say the party has made too many compromises in Mrs. Merkel’s coalition by backing away from its commitment to a tax overhaul.
Justice Minister Sabine Leutheusser-Schnarrenberger became one of the first prominent Free Democratic politicians to suggest a change in the top leadership. She recommended over the weekend that Mr. Westerwelle be replaced by Christian Linder, the party’s general secretary. She said that of course it was up to Mr. Westerwelle to make the final decision. That, she said, could depend on how the speech he will give to party delegates this week is received.
Indeed, Mr. Westerwelle’s political future and his chances of improving the party’s standing will dominate the Free Democrats’ traditional New Year gathering in Stuttgart this week. There, Mr. Westerwelle is expected to try to reassert his leadership and put a stop to the internal squabbling before seven important regional elections over the next few months.
The elections will test the strength and popularity of Mrs. Merkel’s coalition in its ability to stem the growing support for the opposition Greens, the revival of the opposition Social Democrats and the enduring appeal of the Left Party, which is mostly based in the eastern states.
One of the most important elections will take place next March in Baden-Württemberg, where Mrs. Merkel’s coalition of Christian Democrats and Free Democrats is fighting hard to fend off a the Social Democrats and Greens.
A loss in Baden-Württemberg, where Stuttgart is situated, would mean that Mrs. Merkel’s coalition would be even weaker in the Bundesrat, the federal upper house, which can pass or veto laws. The government has already lost its majority after a regional election defeat last year, with the result that a few weeks ago it could not push through financial changes to the Hartz IV social welfare system.
Some members of Mr. Westerwelle’s party in Baden-Württemberg suggested last month that he stay away from the campaign because it would only further damage the party’s chances.
On the other hand, Health Minister Philipp Rösler, another Free Democrat, called Mr. Westerwelle extraordinarily effective. “He is the best leader the party has ever had,” Mr. Rösler said.
Źródło: IHT on line, January 3, 2011