Schroeder set to run election on workers’ rights ticket

GERMAN Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder’s party took aim at the “market radicalism” of the conservative opposition yesterday as it geared up for early national elections, signalling it will present itself as defending social programmes and workers’ rights.

Schroeder called for early elections after his Social Democrats suffered a stunning state election defeat in a traditional stronghold. He said voters' decision to end the party's 39-year grip on Germany's most populous state, North Rhine-Westphalia, had undermined the national mandate he needs to reform the struggling economy.

Party chairman Franz Muentefering said Mr Schroeder plans to clear the way for new elections by holding a parliamentary confidence vote on July 1 setting the scene for an election by September 18.