Steinmeier launches chancellor bid

German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier has kicked off the Social Democrats' 2009 election campaign at a SPD party congress in Berlin, 19 April 2009, by declaring his resolve to oust the conservative coalition partner from the chancellery in September's national vote.

ESO: Background information: SPD poll hopes boosted by crisis http://www.europeansources.info/record/spd-poll-hopes-boosted-by-crisis/

Deutsche Welle, 19.4.09: Steinmeier determined to topple Merkel in German elections http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,4190864,00.html

Spiegel Online International, 16.4.09: Economic Crisis Defines German Election http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,619389,00.html

Spiegel Online International, 17.4.09: SPD Tax Proposals 'Border on Economic Insanity' http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,619588,00.html

Deutsche Welle, 18.4.09: German Social Democrats pledge more money for low-income earners http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,4188904,00.html

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