Germany to see biggest Trade Union demo since the war

Protests against German austerity measures will culminate today in the biggest trade union demonstration seen in Bonn since the Second World War. Hundreds of thousands are expected to converge in the centre of the city, demanding the abandonment of government plans to cut welfare spending.

The demonstrations will bring to a climax a month of unrest. The National Trade Union Federation, DGB, has pledged to continue its protests until the 1998 general elections, but has ruled out a general strike. Without this, however, the government will be able to push the package through the legislature. Imre Karacs, Bonn