Germany’s Red-Green coalition government could only afford six rebels in its ranks to carry a vote of confidence for Chancellor Gerhard Schröder’s leadership. After much pushing and shoving, the dissenters backed down.

Parliament voted with 336, to 326 in favour of the chancellor - two more than needed to carry the motion.

Schröder had coupled the confidence motion with the request to send troops to Afghanistan. It was a move designed to solidify the chancellor's power base and to raise Germany’s profile on the international stage.

The message was loud and clear: Germany is prepared to send troops, and the government stands behind the decision.

If soldiers actually are sent, it will be the first time that German troops are deployed outside Europe since the Second World War.

A question of conscience?

Many pacifists from the Greens and Schröder's own SPD party had opposed joining the US-led mission, but backed down under intense pressure from party leaders who warned that "No" votes would bring down the government.

Political wrangling dominated the political debate for most of the week. Schroeder's coalition has 331 of the 666 seats in the Bundestag, or lower house of parliament. If eight or more members of parliament had opposed Schroeder on Friday, he would have lost the vote.

By early on Friday, Greens deputy leader Winfried Hermann said four of the eight rebels would back down even though they resented the huge pressure they faced on a question of conscience.

Keeping it steady

The gamble looks like it paid off. Getting parliamentary consent to play a bigger role in international affairs was a central plank of the chancellor’s strategy.

Schröder is riding high in opinion polls with 70 percent approval ratings. He also faces a divided conservative opposition unable to agree on a chancellor candidate.

And the German public seems to back Schröder. An opinion poll published by ZDF television said 59 percent of Germans supported military action.

However, fundamental problems still remain. Many ordinary Greens remain critical of the US bombing raids on Afghanistan.

Many Greens have roots in the pacifist movement and bitterly oppose a German military involvement. Some are even threatening to force their leaders to quit the coalition at a party conference on November 24.

Chancellor Schröder is not showing too much worry. Keeping a steady hand has been a trade mark of his style since he was elected. The confidence motion in his favour will strengthen his grip on the coalition. For now.