An editorial in Der Tagesspiegel (Berlin) helps shed some light on the German government's continued, loud opposition to Bush's push to war in Iraq: elections. The article: "Hanover -- far away from Bagdad." The argument: the regional elections on Feb. 3rd in Lower Saxony and Hessen are, from the perspective of the SPD, a critical proving ground for the government. The lousy economic conditions in Germany have been a major cause in turning public opinion away from the ruling SPD, which now seems on the brink of losing big regionally. Will Schroeder and the SPD follow the same strategy that helped them win in the fall (oppose Bush, loudly)? Will the citizens of Lower Saxony and Hessen respond to the SPD's nationalization of the elections? Der Tagesspiegel hopes that they vote on regional issues rather than on the war, partly so that the elections will serve their primary function: holding state leaders responsible for their performance.

One added reason why Schroeder wants the SPD to win: he's from Hanover, and was once governor of the state. A defeat there would be quite a repudiation of his current policies. This one should be a nail-biter. . .