Free Republic

A senior Christian Democrat criticized German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier's stance on Ukraine and Russia in a signal of a possible rift appearing within Chancellor Angela Merkel's right-left coalition over relations with Moscow. Conservative leader Merkel and Steinmeier, who is a senior member of the Social Democrats (SPD), have been at pains to stress how closely they are coordinating on policy since the Ukraine crisis began, despite the traditionally warmer ties to Moscow maintained by the leftist SPD.

Stockholm, Switzerland (LifeNews.com) -- One of Sweden's political parties says it may try to promote legislation there that would lower the European country's current limit on abortions which is set at 22 weeks into pregnancy. The Christian Democrat Party may try to push that limit back so babies who are close to viability are not killed. Current Swedish law allows abortions to be done to 22 weeks in some cases and women wanting abortions in that case must get permission from the National Board of Health and Welfare.Abortion in general is allowed for any reason up to 18 weeks of...

Voting began in Germany's closely fought election today with millions of undecided voters holding the key to a result that will have major implications for economic reform in Europe. Angela Merkel, a Christian Democrat (CDU) chancellor, is expected to emerge as Germany's first woman chancellor, displacing Gerhard Schroeder who has led Germany for the past seven years at the head of a centre-left government of Social Democrats and Greens. A provisional result is expected to be announced in the early hours of Monday morning. The final opinion polls published on Friday gave Merkel's centre-right coalition with the liberal Free Democrats...