(ANSA) - BERLIN, FEB 9 - Martin Schulz, the leader of
Germany's Social Democratic party, has officially announced that
he will not take up the Foreign Minister post in the next
coalition government. In a statement, Schulz explained his
decision by underlining that the dispute over appointments
should be closed in order not to endanger the upcoming SPD
memberhip vote on the Grosse Koalition. ''I therefore herewith
announce that I will forego entering into government - Schulz
said - and I hope at the same time that the discussion
surrounding my person will come to an end''. ''I have always
emphasized - he added - that we would enter a coalition if our
social democratic claims were included in the contract, in order
to improve education, assistance, welfare, employment and tax
system. I am proud to say this is what happened. Therefore, it
is even more important to me that the SPD base votes in favour
of this contract, since they are happy with these contents
exactly as much as I am''. (ANSA).
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