Here is the latest example of how the SPD insists on shooting itself in the foot. (Or at least how it allows the media to jump on it.)

During the Dalai Lama's recent visit to Germany, foreign minister Franz-Walter Steinmeier (Schröder's one-time confidante, über-centrist) made explicit that he won't meet him "to avoid diplomatic complications". But development minister Heidemarie "Red Heidie" Wieczorek-Zeul, also SPD, met the Dalai Lama for half an hour. This made party boss Kurt Beck (pragmatist power technician) angry, because Red Heidi didn't inform him in advance. Meanwhile, speakers flip-flopped between claiming Red Heidi met the Dalai Lama as private person or as government member. This nice family drama was just what the media was waiting for.

_{*Lunatic*, n.
One whose delusions are out of fashion.}