BERLIN, May 31 (UPI) -- Opposition leaders in Germany say embattled Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder must share the blame for the defeat of the proposed EU Constitution in France.
These leaders plan to use the expansion of the European Union from 15 members to 25, which is partly blamed for the weekend defeat of the constitution in the French referendum, as an issue in their own election, the EU Observer reports.
Germany is preparing for general elections likely in September, brought on by the recent defeat of Schroeder's Social Democrats party in a key regional election.
Michael Glos, a top politician in the opposition CSU party, told the German parliament Schroeder had insisted on pushing through early membership talks with Turkey although many in France are against the idea.
Angela Merkel, now a candidate for the chancellorship, warned against "overstretching" the EU. Polls indicate Merkel and her Christian Democrat party have a real chance of coming to power in September.
