Free Republic

Germany's liberal Free Democrats are ready to weaken the power of the influential trade unions in order to push through economic reforms were the party to enter government in next month's election, FDP leader Guido Westerwelle said on Tuesday. “I won't be looking for conflict, but I won't avoid it if it's necessary in order to create a new beginning for Germany,” he said in an interview in Berlin. In comments likely to fuel debate over which economic reform path Germany should take after the election, he accused the trade unions of being responsible for “blocking the reduction in mass...