The SPD challenger to Chancellor Angela Merkel, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, urged party members to run a spirited campaign ahead of September's vote. This follows the party's poor showing at the EU polls last week. Frank-Walter Steinmeier rallied some 500 delegates at the Social Democrats' congress in the German capital. "We want to win and we will win," he said in his key-note speech. The gathering, which comes after the debacle at the European parliamentary polls, is seen as a chance to infuse fresh enthusiasm into party ranks. The German vice-chancellor and foreign minister who hopes to topple Chancellor Angela Merkel, urged all SPD members to ensure victory for the Social Democrats in September's general elections.
Frank-Walter Steinmeier rallied some 500 delegates at the Social Democrats' congress in the German capital.
"We want to win and we will win," he said in his key-note speech.
The gathering, which comes after the debacle at the European parliamentary polls, is seen as a chance to infuse fresh enthusiasm into party ranks.
The German vice-chancellor and foreign minister who hopes to topple Chancellor Angela Merkel, urged all SPD members to ensure victory for the Social Democrats in September's general elections.
EU foreign policy chief Solana's visit to Beirut following last weekend's election is meant to consolidate relations with Lebanon. He has met with representatives of various political parties, including the Hezbollah. EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana is in Beirut for talks with Lebanese officials, less than a week after the country held parliamentary elections. The vote saw the Western-backed alliance increase its majority in parliament, defeating a coalition led by the Shiite militant group Hezbollah. "This will help very much open a new page for the future of the country, prosperity, democracy and peace, said Solana after meeting Foreign Minister Fawzi Salloukh. Solana also discussed the latest post-election developments with President Michel Suleiman and Prime Minister Fuad Siniora.
EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana is in Beirut for talks with Lebanese officials, less than a week after the country held parliamentary elections. The vote saw the Western-backed alliance increase its majority in parliament, defeating a coalition led by the Shiite militant group Hezbollah.
"This will help very much open a new page for the future of the country, prosperity, democracy and peace, said Solana after meeting Foreign Minister Fawzi Salloukh.
Solana also discussed the latest post-election developments with President Michel Suleiman and Prime Minister Fuad Siniora.
Peter Mandelson's emergence as Labour's guiding spirit from a past dogged by spin and sleaze is one of the most remarkable transformations of the modern political age In the muddy, seething waters after Labour's imperfect storm, Newsnight hosted a focus group debate this week on potential Labour leaders, including a discussion of Lord Mandelson of Hartlepool and Foy. One woman instantly concluded that he was "a bit public school and blue-blooded". He would certainly object that the blood in his political veins is strictly red, as the grandson of Herbert Morrison, and that he's a product of Hendon County Grammar. But you could see her point.
In the muddy, seething waters after Labour's imperfect storm, Newsnight hosted a focus group debate this week on potential Labour leaders, including a discussion of Lord Mandelson of Hartlepool and Foy. One woman instantly concluded that he was "a bit public school and blue-blooded".
He would certainly object that the blood in his political veins is strictly red, as the grandson of Herbert Morrison, and that he's a product of Hendon County Grammar. But you could see her point.
