SPD unveils programme to reverse Kohl's policy

Germany's opposition Social Democrats (SPD) yesterday unveiled a cautious programme for their first 100 days in power, as opinion polls continued to predict victory for the party at next month's federal election.

The SPD candidate for chancellor, Mr Gerhard Schroder, told reporters in Berlin that he was determined not to make promises that could not be kept.

The 26-page document, "Transformation into a Modern and Fair Germany", pledged to bring employers and trade unions together in an "alliance for jobs" and improve training opportunities.

The party promised to reverse measures introduced by Dr Helmut Kohl's centre-right government which make it easier for employers to sack workers. Cuts in sick pay and reforms to the pension system would also be overturned and child benefits would increase. But Mr Schroder said tax cuts would be determined by the economic situation.

Dr Kohl's Christian Democrats (CDU) claimed the proposals would sabotage Germany's economic recovery and drive unemployment even higher.

"This would be the start of a head-first dive into an empty swimming pool," said CDU general secretary, Mr Peter Hintze.

He accused Mr Schroder of failing to understand the economic implications of globalisation and was scathing in his condemnation of the Social Democrats' pledge to reverse pensions and labour law reforms.

"These reforms were bitter medicine but they worked. Uncomfortable truths are more useful to the people than comfortable untruths," he said.

Dr Kohl is frustrated by the lack of polarisation in the campaign so far and by Mr Schroder's tactic of hinting that a grand coalition of Social Democrats and Christian Democrats would be his preferred alliance. Most Germans favour such a coalition, which would satisfy the national yearning for stability but would end the career of Dr Kohl - a prospect 73 per cent of voters say they would welcome.

Dr Kohl has ruled out participating in a grand coalition and is at pains to point out to voters that if Mr Schroder wins he will almost certainly form a "red-green" government with the Greens rather than with the CDU.

The Greens enjoy the loyal, passionate support of about five per cent of the electorate but are regarded as wild-eyed fanatics by conservative Germans. By playing down the prospect of an SPDGreen alliance, Mr Schroder hopes to reassure floating voters.