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MPs accused of Stasi link

BERLIN: Germany's new Left party, which could play a crucial role in deciding the next Chancellor, faced acute embarrassment on Friday amid claims that at least seven of its MPs had collaborated with the Stasi, the East German secret police. The head of Germany's state-held Stasi archive, Marianne Birthler, said she had documents to prove the MPs had worked as inoffizielle mitarbeiter (unofficial collaborators). The public had a right to know which MPs had collaborated, she said, adding: ``It's a question of trust.'' The revelation came as the Left party held its first meeting as a parliamentary group after Sunday's inconclusive general election. —

© Guardian Newspapers Limited 2004

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