German Greens Give Nod to Immigration Compromise

The Green party, the junior partner in Germany's ruling government coalition, has accepted the compromise on an immigration law thrashed out by the governing Social Democrat-Green coalition and the conservative opposition. The Greens have decided to drop plans for a special party conference to discuss the issue, agreeing on Monday that the immigration compromise should be debated instead at a regular party meeting in October. Earlier several regional Green groups had insisted on a special meeting to discuss the legislation, intended to make it easier for highly qualified foreigners to move to Germany, since many saw the compromise as bearing the imprint of the conservatives. However, Green party leaders reined in critics of the planned legislation on Monday during a vote among the party council and seven regional groups.