By Brian Rohan
BERLIN, Oct 2 (Reuters) - Concerns in Germany's ruling coalition grew on Saturday over the ability of Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble to fulfil his duties while in hospital.
Politicians from Chancellor Angela Merkel's junior coalition partners, the Free Democrats (FDP), voiced criticism over the 68-year old Schaeuble's repeated no-shows at international economic summits.
'It was already unfortunate last spring when the finance minister was absent at a decisive moment during the euro crisis,' FDP finance expert Frank Schaeffler told Spiegel magazine in comments released on Saturday.
'Were a crisis now to break out suddenly in Ireland, again Germany would not be well positioned,' Schaeffler added.
The wheelchair-bound Schaeuble has been fighting complications from his handicap and an operation earlier this year, and has already spent long periods working from hospital as he healed.
Last week he missed an informal meeting of European finance ministers in Brussels after again being admitted to hospital, for treatment of bedsores that is expected to last four weeks.
FDP deputy parliament leader Patrick Doering criticised Merkel for not herself replacing Schaeuble at international meetings, where deputy finance minister Joerg Asmussen -- a member of the opposition Social Democrats -- has stood in.
Speaking to journalists in Brussels on Friday, Asmussen said he had telephoned with Schaeuble repeatedly and been given instructions throughout the talks, insisting that the minister could work from hospital.
But that may not be enough for some critics, who could for example point to the announcement on Saturday of a delay in proposals for simplifying Germany's tax system as a sign the job was too much for Schaeuble.
The hospitalisation has reignited speculation of a possible resignation that has coursed through the government. Spiegel wrote that Schaeuble told a confident he had tired of the office but felt he could not abandon the Chancellor or government.
A veteran of German politics, Schaeuble was appointed by Merkel -- an erstwhile rival -- to shore up Germany's strained public finances and lead its response to the economic crisis.
He has been in a wheelchair since he was shot in the face and back while serving as interior minister under Helmut Kohl shortly after German reunification in October 1990.
Ministry officials have said Schaeuble's current treatment means he will miss the Oct. 8-10 annual meetings of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund in Washington, and probably an Oct. 22-23 G20 finance ministers' meeting in South Korea. Keywords: GERMANY SCHAEUBLE/HEALTH (brian.rohan@reuters.com; editing by Tony Austin; +49 30 2888 5223; Reuters Messaging: brian.rohan.reuters.com@reuters.net) COPYRIGHT Copyright Thomson Reuters 2010. All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of Reuters News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Reuters.
BERLIN, Oct 2 (Reuters) - Concerns in Germany's ruling coalition grew on Saturday over the ability of Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble to fulfil his duties while in hospital.
Politicians from Chancellor Angela Merkel's junior coalition partners, the Free Democrats (FDP), voiced criticism over the 68-year old Schaeuble's repeated no-shows at international economic summits.
'It was already unfortunate last spring when the finance minister was absent at a decisive moment during the euro crisis,' FDP finance expert Frank Schaeffler told Spiegel magazine in comments released on Saturday.
'Were a crisis now to break out suddenly in Ireland, again Germany would not be well positioned,' Schaeffler added.
The wheelchair-bound Schaeuble has been fighting complications from his handicap and an operation earlier this year, and has already spent long periods working from hospital as he healed.
Last week he missed an informal meeting of European finance ministers in Brussels after again being admitted to hospital, for treatment of bedsores that is expected to last four weeks.
FDP deputy parliament leader Patrick Doering criticised Merkel for not herself replacing Schaeuble at international meetings, where deputy finance minister Joerg Asmussen -- a member of the opposition Social Democrats -- has stood in.
Speaking to journalists in Brussels on Friday, Asmussen said he had telephoned with Schaeuble repeatedly and been given instructions throughout the talks, insisting that the minister could work from hospital.
But that may not be enough for some critics, who could for example point to the announcement on Saturday of a delay in proposals for simplifying Germany's tax system as a sign the job was too much for Schaeuble.
The hospitalisation has reignited speculation of a possible resignation that has coursed through the government. Spiegel wrote that Schaeuble told a confident he had tired of the office but felt he could not abandon the Chancellor or government.
A veteran of German politics, Schaeuble was appointed by Merkel -- an erstwhile rival -- to shore up Germany's strained public finances and lead its response to the economic crisis.
He has been in a wheelchair since he was shot in the face and back while serving as interior minister under Helmut Kohl shortly after German reunification in October 1990.
Ministry officials have said Schaeuble's current treatment means he will miss the Oct. 8-10 annual meetings of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund in Washington, and probably an Oct. 22-23 G20 finance ministers' meeting in South Korea. Keywords: GERMANY SCHAEUBLE/HEALTH (brian.rohan@reuters.com; editing by Tony Austin; +49 30 2888 5223; Reuters Messaging: brian.rohan.reuters.com@reuters.net) COPYRIGHT Copyright Thomson Reuters 2010. All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of Reuters News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Reuters.