US could win big in German election

WASHINGTON – Washington is gunning for Angela Merkel in the upcoming German vote in hopes that a victory by the conservative leader will mark a fresh start for strained US-German relations, analysts say.

“What is happening in Germany is a catalyst for change,” said Rockwell Schnabel, former US ambassador to the European Union. “She (Merkel) appears to be, from her own statements, to be a closer friend of the United States and therefore would lead a policy that would be more pro-American and pro-Atlanticist,” he added.Relations between the US and Germany dipped to new lows under outgoing Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder with differences over Iraq and the partnership linking Germany, France and Russia undermining ties.Schroeder is hoping that his popular stand on Iraq will win him favour with voters on Sunday.But opinion polls show that is unlikely and Merkel, the Christian Democrats’ candidate, is tipped to become the country’s first female chancellor.Merkel (51) has said one of her priorities if elected would be mending the poisoned relationship with the US, while not sending troops to Iraq.Her aggressive pro-free market agenda has also piqued Washington’s interest.Although the Bush administration has refused to publicly comment on the outcome of the upcoming vote, privately officials say a victory by Merkel would be a welcome change.”If the administration representatives are honest they’ll tell you ‘Well this is a fresh start and Merkel’s victory would be a good thing’,” said Jackson Janes, director of the American Institute for Contemporary German Studies.Washington said that while Merkel would certainly work hard to establish smoother lines of communication with Washington, in substance there could be little change under her administration as far as foreign policy is concerned.One likely contentious issue, Janes and Dettke noted, was Merkel’s opposition to Turkey becoming a full member of the European Union which put her at odds with Washington.- Nampa-AFP”She (Merkel) appears to be, from her own statements, to be a closer friend of the United States and therefore would lead a policy that would be more pro-American and pro-Atlanticist,” he added.Relations between the US and Germany dipped to new lows under outgoing Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder with differences over Iraq and the partnership linking Germany, France and Russia undermining ties.Schroeder is hoping that his popular stand on Iraq will win him favour with voters on Sunday.But opinion polls show that is unlikely and Merkel, the Christian Democrats’ candidate, is tipped to become the country’s first female chancellor.Merkel (51) has said one of her priorities if elected would be mending the poisoned relationship with the US, while not sending troops to Iraq.Her aggressive pro-free market agenda has also piqued Washington’s interest.Although the Bush administration has refused to publicly comment on the outcome of the upcoming vote, privately officials say a victory by Merkel would be a welcome change.”If the administration representatives are honest they’ll tell you ‘Well this is a fresh start and Merkel’s victory would be a good thing’,” said Jackson Janes, director of the American Institute for Contemporary German Studies.Washington said that while Merkel would certainly work hard to establish smoother lines of communication with Washington, in substance there could be little change under her administration as far as foreign policy is concerned.One likely contentious issue, Janes and Dettke noted, was Merkel’s opposition to Turkey becoming a full member of the European Union which put her at odds with Washington.- Nampa-AFP