Letter: Green influence

Sir: "Greens barely colour Germany's policies" reads the heading to your article on the deal struck between the Social Democrats and Greens in Germany when forming their coalition government (21 October). The Green Party, as very much the numerically smaller partner, has indeed had a small influence on the new government's policies, but this lays the lie that proportional representation gives undue influence to small parties that hold the balance of power.

By joining the government, the German Green party has had some influence on policy, but no more nor less than is proportional to its representation in the parliament. The fact is the SDP can push the Greens around far, far more than the Greens can push the SDP around.

CHRIS PADLEY

Chair, Louth and District Green Party

Market Rasen, Lincolnshire