Stand-off threatens German alliance

The leaders of German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s governing coalition are trying to resolve a stand-off over the future of the country’s domestic intelligence chief and stabilise their six-month-old alliance.

Thecentre-leftsocialdemocrats want Hans-georg Maassen removed for appearing to downplay recent violence against migrants, but conservative interior minister Horst Seehofer has stood by him.

Last week, coalition leaders agreed to replace Mr Maassen as head of Germany’s BFV spy agency, but give him a new job as a deputy interior minister – a promotion with a hefty pay rise.

The move infuriated many members of the centre-left Social Democrats.

Mr Seehofer leads the Bavaria-only Christian Social Union – the government’s third coalition partner.

On Friday, Social Democrat leader Andrea Nahles asked Ms Merkel and Mr Seehofer to renegotiate the deal. Ms Merkel had asked for a solution to be reached over the weekend.

Merkel’s coalition took office in March after the Social Democrats decided reluctantly to join up.