WEBVTT

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This federal government

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and the government coalition of
Social Democrats and Free Democrats

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are proud of the work they have done
in the last three years.

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Nobody is contradicting
your hard work.

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But it has failed to be successful.

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You have a poor balance sheet
with negative records.

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<i>The assessment of the SPD-FDP's</i>
<i>three years of policy-making</i>

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<i>at the latest debates before the early</i>
<i>dissolution of the 6th parliament</i>

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<i>was similar to some</i>
<i>unjust sports event reviews.</i>

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<i>The highest mark for one's own team,</i>
<i>the lowest for the other team.</i>

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<i>The hottest election campaign</i>
<i>in the FRG is beginning to emerge.</i>

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<i>New elections</i>
<i>as the last way out of a situation</i>

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<i>in which the parliamentary majority</i>

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<i>did not allow the government</i>
<i>to continue their work,</i>

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<i>nor enabled the opposition</i>
<i>to topple the government.</i>

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<i>Federal Chancellor Brandt</i>
<i>explained why.</i>

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On the contrary.

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I want the way to be cleared
for new elections,

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so that the vote of confidence
can be put to voters once again.

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Because, in light of developments,

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only the voters can help us

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to overcome the draw
in the parliament.

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In order for voters
to exercise their rights,

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and to ensure that the interests
of our state are not damaged,

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we must carry out the procedure

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according to Article 68
of the Basic Law on Friday.

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<i>For the first time</i>
<i>in the history of the FRG government,</i>

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<i>a chancellor</i>
<i>called for a vote of confidence.</i>

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<i>A term Brandt avoids, preferring</i>
<i>"Article 68 of the Basic Law".</i>

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<i>His objective is to enable</i>
<i>the continuation of his policy-making</i>

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<i>through a defeat in votes</i>
<i>and a re-election win.</i>

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<i>The voting result was unsurprising.</i>

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233 MPs voted in favour,

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as well as twelve Berlin citizens.

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248 MPs voted against,
as well as ten Berlin citizens.

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The Federal Chancellor's call

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for a vote of confidence therefore
does not have the necessary majority.

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I will notify the Federal President
of this immediately.