ANGELA MERKEL’S Grand Coalition is trying to smuggle through a package of unpopular and potentially vote-losing reforms in the next three weeks while all German eyes are fixed on the football pitch.

Political conflicts have barely flickered on to German television screens. The Upper House of parliament reluctantly gave the go-ahead to a 3 per cent increase in VAT last Friday — with some heavy-hitting regional barons voting against or abstaining. Normally there would have been a nationwide howl of protest — indeed, the mass circulation Bild called it the “biggest single tax rise in German history” — but the critical article, as Frau Merkel, the Chancellor, had calculated, was buried under a mountain of stories on the German football team. The big tabloid revolt fizzled out.

Little wonder, then, that ministers are now required to meet in the Chancellery every Sunday until the end of the World Cup to fine-tune other unpopular Bills that will quickly canter through parliament. Three key pieces of legislation are supposed to be wrapped up before the World Cup final on July 9. First, a reform of the system redistributing power between central government and the regions. Frau Merkel expects more power over university education, but in return she will have to let the regions keep their separate school systems.

Second, the essentials of the health reform, a source of deep conflict between the governing partners, the Social Democrats and the Christian Democrats, must be agreed before July. The likely compromise is a national health fund to keep tighter control over health spending. Third, the 2007 Budget has to be passed through parliament. At present it looks as if the extra VAT revenues will be largely swallowed up by the extra cost of labour reforms. Once that trickles into the public domain, there will be an outcry, but with school holidays beginning just as the World Cup ends, the sunny German mood might see Frau Merkel through to regional elections in the early autumn.

Times Recommends

• Rio Tinto four held as China prepares case
• Diplomats must keep heads down and trousers up
• When in Rome should one make like Berlusconi?