US surveillance becomes election issue in Germany
Allegations of widespread U.S data surveillance have created
turbulence for Anjela Markel on what look like a smooth cruise to a third term
as German chancellor. Markel’s center left opponents have seized of disclosure
of National Security Agency surveillance programs by leaker Edward Snowden to
assert that she hasn’t been doing enough to confront Washington and protect
Germans personal data.
The opposition apparently hopes that the issue will breathe
life into a so-far stumbling and gaffe-prone campaign for Sept. 22
parliamentary elections. A healthy economy, low unemployment and perceptions
that Merkel has managed Europe's debt crisis well have bolstered the
chancellor.
The government,
opposition Green party leader Juergen Trittin said, is acting "like the
famous three monkeys: hear no evil, speak no evil and definitely see no evil”. His
party called for Germany to take in Snowden. Merkel's government, like many
others, rejected his asylum request.
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