Germans form new coalition

AP PHOTO Designated German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder smiles during a news

conference in Bonn yesterday, one day after the victory of the Social Democratic Party in national elections. To his left is SDP chair Harald Ringstorff.

BONN, Germany (AP) - After ousting Chancellor Helmut Kohl in national elections, a beaming Gerhard Schroeder declared yesterday he will try to forge a coalition between the Social Democrats he led to power and a small environmentalist party that has never before been in government.

Germans voted for sweeping political change on Sunday after 16 years of conservative rule, but pairing the pragmatic Social Democrats with the ecologically minded Greens presents unique challenges for Europe's largest nation.

At his first post-election news conference, Schroeder kept his message broad, offering assurances to his country and the world that his government will continue the stability that Kohl, the West's longest-serving leader, secured during his four terms.

"Nobody needs to be afraid. We will ensure continuity in foreign policy," Schroeder said. "The international community can rely on Germans to remain good partners."

The center-left leaning Social Democrats won 41 percent of the vote, compared to the 35 percent won by Kohl's Christian Democrats. The Greens got 6.7 percent of the vote. If they join a coalition, they would give Schroeder's government a 21-vote majority in the 669-seat parliament.

Schroeder was quick to stress that his party - which will hold 298 seats compared to the Greens' 47 - will call the shots in any coalition.

One of the first tests of the new government could be possible German participation in proposed NATO strikes to quell bloodshed in the Serb-led Yugoslav province of Kosovo, where the majority ethnic Albanians are fighting for independence.

Schroeder skirted the issue of Germany's role by saying Kohl technically is still in power.

With party chief Oskar Lafontaine at his side, Schroeder grinned and cracked jokes while fielding questions about his plans. Tensions from months of tough campaigning had clearly melted away after the victory.

The future chancellor avoided committing his government to specific plans before opening coalition negotiations Friday with the Greens.

The Social Democrats and Greens have some sharp policy differences in key areas such as defense and energy policies.

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