Germany's deputy-chancellor and labour minister Franz Muentefering resigns - je 13.11.2007 17

One of Germany's most prominent politicians, Franz Müntefering, is stepping down from his posts in the federal government. The 67-year-old Social Democrat has been serving as Deputy Chancellor and Labour Minister in the coalition government for the past two years. Muntefering was a close ally of former Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, whom he succeeded as chairman of Germany's Social Democratic party. A spokesman says the vice chancellor is resigning for personal reasons. +++SYN+++