The German Foreign Minister, Mr Joschka Fischer, has threatened to resign unless his Green Party colleagues back deployment of almost 4,000 German troops to Afghanistan.
The threat raises the stakes in a coalition disagreement which the Chancellor, Mr Gerhard Schr÷der, has warned poses a threat to Germany's international credibility.
"The question this parliament has to answer is: Do we leave America on its own or not. Yes or no?" said a visibly angry Mr Fischer in the Bundestag yesterday, his voice and hands shaking.
The bone of contention between the coalition parties is Mr Schr÷der's September 11th promise of "unlimited solidarity" with the US, a promise he reiterated yesterday.
"For many decades we have taken as a given America's solidarity with us . . . [but] solidarity is not a one-way street," he said.
"It is simply our obligation, and I think also necessary for our self-esteem, for us to return that solidarity."
Mr Schr÷der could face the humiliating prospect of having to rely on opposition support next week to ensure parliamentary approval for the military deployment, as required by law.
He reminded parliament that no German troops would be involved in air or ground combat in Afghanistan.
For the Green Party, with its pacifist movement roots, agreeing to the proposal could cost it votes at next year's election.
But voting against could cost it its place in government and the support of Mr Fischer, who threatened to resign at a Green Party meeting ahead of yesterday's parliamentary debate.
However, Green Party leaders are themselves split on the issue. And they will have a challenge changing the minds of at least eight members who are planning to vote against the government.
