Beck's battle

摘要

"Then come, comrades, rally-and the last fight let us face." These words from the Internationale have seldom been more suited to Germany's Social Democrats (SPD). Last weekend the party chose Kurt Beck, premier of Rhineland-Palati-nate, as its new chairman. He was the only plausible candidate after his predecessor, Matthias Platzeck, had resigned earlier in the year on health grounds. The task facing Mr Beck is immense: the SPD risks losing its status as a "people's party".