Political In-Fighting Set In Germany As Obama Makes His Visit

Presumed United States presumed Democratic presidential nominee Senator Barack Obama of Illinois is due to visit the country of Germany. Obama plans to make a campaign speech at the Brandenburg Gate, which is one of Germany’s most important landmarks. The Brandenburg Gate’s main significance is the tearing down of the Berlin Wall after the fall of the Soviet Union.

However, politicians are split over whether or not if it’s appropriate for Obama to be giving a speech in front of the Brandenburg Gate. So far, Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel is not warm to the idea of Obama using this place to give a speech for his campaign run. Merkel leads the Christian Democratic Party.

Merkel was one of the leaders that had attended the G8 Summit at Lake Toya, on the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido. Germany is one of the G8 nations. But, that is another story.

So far, Merkel and the rest of the Christian Democratic Party are not warm to the idea of Obama giving a campaign speech in front of the Brandenburg Gate.

However, Foreign Minister and Vice-Chancellor Frank-Walter Steinmeier of the Social Democratic Party disagreed with Merkel. Steinmeier’s spokesman Jens Plotner said that either Obama or presumed US GOP presidential nominee Senator John McCain of Arizona are free to speak at this location.

Plotner said that this expresses symbolism of a friendship between Germany and the United States. However, it is not up for the Chancellor or the Vice-Chancellor to allow Obama to speak at the Brandenburg Gate.

That decision lies in the hand of Klaus Wowereit, the mayor of Berlin. So far, Wowereit is warm to the idea. Also, it seems that Wowereit is very thrilled to have Obama visiting Germany.

While Obamania has spread on a global scale, he is only a presidential candidate. November has not come yet. So, either Obama or McCain will end up being elected president this year.

While Merkel and the Christian Democratic Party seemed to be cold to the idea, it seems that the rest of Germany are supporting Obama’s plan to give a speech at the Brandenburg Gate.

Overall, it seems that Berlin is buzzing with anticipation and excitement about Obama’s visit.