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'Jamaica coailition' proposed in Germany

berlin, (reuters)

JAMAICA APPEARED AN unlikely winner of Germany's general election on Monday as a coalition of parties sharing the colours of its flag became a possibility.

Germans often refer to parties by their colours: red for the Social Democrats, black for the conservatives, yellow for the Free Democrats and, predictably, green for the Greens.

Sunday's inconclusive election result means an inventive new alliance may be needed to replace the old 'red-green' coalition.

Television commentator Joerg Schoenenborn mentioned the idea of a 'Jamaica coalition' ­ black, yellow and green, like the island's flag ­ on Sunday after exit polls were published.

Within three hours it was being used by economists, politicians, journalists and travel agents.

"I didn't even know the term 'Jamaica coalition' existed," said Joschka Fischer, Germany's Greens foreign minister.

"When I heard that yesterday, I was very diplomatic and didn't pull a face. But in my head you could imagine what I was seeing: I saw people sitting around in dreadlocks with joints in their hands, and reggae music playing in the background."

Marcia Gilbert-Roberts, Jamaica's ambassador, seized the chance of tourist publicity to advertise to travel-mad Germans.

"If such a coalition comes to fruition, then we'll invite all concerned to Jamaica," she was quoted as saying in an interview with Financial Times Germany.