>> live from berlin, this is the "journal" on dw. austerity versus growth -- the eurozone hub of war is a domestic hattic for germany's chancellor, angela merkel. >> german police conduct raids on premises run by the hell's angels across northern germany. >> human rights around the world. the arab spring but says there's still much to be done. well, it seems everyone is demanding she do more to push economic growth. german chancellor angela merkel got an earful at yesterday's

summit of eu leaders. >> they want her to increase more policies aimed at growth instead of focusing first on austerity. >> it is now a domestic problem for the chancellor. today, she met with leaders of the opposition to drum up support for eurozone budget discipline. >> voters sitting across from her told her their vote will come only when she says yes to more growth. >> talks with the opposition did not is the agreement the government was hoping for. instead, the parties announced they will meet again next month. >> it was agreed that there are a number of issues to clarify, and they include matters of constitutional law and what form an economic growth strategy should take. >> the chancellor invited opposition parties for talks because she needs their votes to pass the treaty on budget discipline that she helped

negotiate. opposition parties are using the opportunity to demand concessions. >> our position is that we should create a new source of revenue by taxing financial markets. we only touched on this and other points today. now it is up to the government to take a closer look at our proposals. >> the chancellor and her center-right coalition continue to demand european partners reduce their deficits, but it is not just other countries that are increasingly opposed to an austerity. opposition parties at home also want to see more done to spur growth. >> one way could be through a european debt redemption fund. it is something the government should be able to accept. >> merkel's government wants to link the vote on the fiscal pact with a vote on the bailout fund,

which has to take place by next month, which means time is running out for a deal before the summer recess. >> let's get more on this. our political correspondent is standing by. the opposition has stood with chancellor merkel on her austerity first policy. why are they now threatening to withdraw that support? >> this is a case of the opposition playing hard to get. the fact is that chancellor merkel can only get her legislation pushed through the german parliament with opposition support. the opposition, particularly social democrats, feeling very strong at the moment, having come off of a very successful election in germany's largest state, so they are in a position to demand concessions, and they will. the fact is, too, that the opposition are basically with the chancellor on the austerity front. germany has a reputation for fiscal rectitude that goes well beyond the current government, so i think we will see the

opposition playing hard to get, but they will come around to a deal. >> i was going to ask you -- what do you think is likely to happen? do you think merkel will give in an embrace more growth policies? >> chancellor merkel is under tremendous pressure to embrace more growth policies, and that pressure comes from her european partners but also other areas in germany. chancellor merkel made a big speech to parliament earlier this month where she acknowledged that growth measures and austerity are the twin pillars of european economic policy. i think we will see her coming up with some concessions on the growth side very soon. >> all right, our political correspondent. thank you very much. >> there are fresh economic numbers that show the eurozone is losing more and more steam. >> the european purchasing managers' index took its sharpest drop in three years in april. that data seemed to indicate that the eurozone is almost certain to slip into recession

this year. >> in germany where the economy has been more robust than most, business confidence is also leveling off. >> europe's economic crisis is causing new concern among german businesses. 40% of german exports go to other eurozone members. may pose the unexpected drop in the confidence index brings an end to a six-month rally -- may pose an unexpected drop in the conference and a spear the outlook among german business leaders is increasingly bleak. many are planning fewer new hires. so far, german companies have weathered the crisis well. in the first quarter, europe's biggest economy grew by 0.5%. economists are still predicting overall growth for the year between 0.5% and 1%. >> let's take a closer look at the markets now. we have this report from the

frankfurt stock exchange. >> german managers are getting slowly as nervous as investors. this was the alarm signal coming from the disappointing business climate. fear about greece is behind this sharp decline of business confidence. what will happen in europe when the country really leaves the eurozone? until the next round of greek elections, financial markets will remain in a jittery situation. bargain hunters have been responsible for gains in the stock market, but the bureau remains under pressure, another sign of growing insecurity. demand for the german bond was as high as never before. worldwide interest rates at a record low. >> a quick look at the latest market numbers, the dax ended the day 0.5% higher. the your stocks it be closed 1% of -- the euro stocks 50 closed 1% p.

the euro trading at $1.25 to seven. >> the second day of voting has ended in the country's first free presidential election 15 months after the fall of hosni mubarak. >> there are more than a dozen candidates, but some of the favorites include two from mubarak's former regime. >> also in the running is the islamist candidate and a candidate from the muslim brotherhood. >> results will not be out until sunday, although at the -- it is the runoff will be needed to find a new president. >> turnout remain high on the second day of voting. some people have given up yesterday because the lines were too long and came back. today, polling stations remained open an hour longer, until 9:00 p.m., to allow more voters to come in the cooler evening hours. the president of the arab league

visited a police station in cairo as an observer. but he is also an egyptian, and he hopes his presence will make a difference. >> it is a historic date. egypt is voting for its future in a free and fair environment. i want to help enjoy this. >> there is a mixture of excitement and trepidation in the air. voters could choose familiar figures from the government, or they could take a step into the unknown with islamist candidates. >> there are a lot of people who have not decided who they are going to vote for. that is because this is a new experience for us. but i think the elections will give us a man who cares about egypt and who will help develop the country. >> if there is no clear winner,

the top contenders will face off in june. it is up to egypt's generals then to deliver on promised to transfer power. >> in short while ago, we spoke to our correspondent in cairo and asked how the voter turnout was on the second day end of voting had run smoothly. >> it seems the pictures we saw of long queues of voters outside polling station are a bit misleading because apparently today, interest was even lower than it was yesterday in the elections, and yesterday, there are estimates that the turnout was around 25%, which was a lot lower than people had hoped for. it seems that the overall turnout will be significantly lower than in the parliamentary elections just over half a year ago when over 60% of the voters actually cast their ballot, but overall, it has to be said that these elections were quite well organized, a lot better than the parliamentary elections half a year ago, that they were quite

smooth. there were some minor incidents. there have been some claims of violations of election rules, but overall, it has to be said that these elections were fair and better organized than the parliamentary elections have a year ago. >> talks between iran and six global powers over to ron's nuclear program have ended with little progress. the eu foreign policy chief said sharp differences remain, but that all sides involved will meet again in moscow next month. -- over tehran's nuclear program. tehran reiterated its right to enrich nuclear uranium and says it is developing nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. the u.s. and eu recently stepped-up sanctions on iran. they suspect it is working towards developing nuclear weapons. police in germany have carried out raids on properties run by the bikers' gang hell's angels. >> the targets were brothels, pubs, nightclubs, and private

homes. >> the crime under investigation include cumin trafficking as well as drug and weapons dealing. and the elite police unit reading one of dozens of properties across northern germany. bars, brothels, and apartments were searched by more than 1000 officers. the raids are part of an ongoing investigation into a band local hell's angels group. >> the goal of these raids is to collect evidence related to all kinds of crimes, including assault and potentially even weapons dealing. >> at least six hells angels members were arrested. the raids followed months of evidence-gathering of possible illegal arms dealing by the group. it is not the members of the group could have supplied weapons to right wing and left- wing extremists. in a related rate, the apartment of an official with the far right npd party was searched.

police seized files belonging to a kurdish cultural center. as part of what authorities are calling their zero tolerance strategy towards organized crime. >> police in azerbaijan have broken up another protest just three days ahead of the final of the eurovision song contest. 35 people were detained at the protest in the capital and host city. a group of activists had gathered to call for the release of political prisoners. >> they were quickly surrounded by police and plainclothes security officers and bundled into vans -- plainclothes security officers. it is the latest in a series of protests highlighting free- speech and human rights abuse in azerbaijan. later, we will look at amnesty international's annual report on the state of human rights around the world. >> some soccer news now. our previous series of the 16 teams competing at the euro 2012

which starts in two weeks tomorrow. today, it is group c with favorites spain as well as ireland, croatia, and italy. the italians are looking to bounce back from a disappointing world cup two years ago. >> something the italians have the ability to go all the way and lift the trophy. >> only six years have passed since italy were crowned world champions, but their attempt to defend the title in south africa ended in humiliation. italy returned home in shame after a first-round exit. they hope to restore italy's pride. >> we must be a positive team in everything we do. we have to show it in our smile, our determination, and our enthusiasm. a group of players that is the team right to the core. >> they put the focus on the collective and the absence of individual superstars.

of the world cup-winning team, only the midfielder and goalkeeper remain. both are in the twilight of their careers. >> some say we rely too much on creativity. others say we rely too much on shop stopping. the most important thing for me is to play as a team, one that has a will to win and is totally focused. >> the team's biggest hope has only played seven games for his country. this form is erratic -- sometimes good, sometimes for, much like the italian team as a whole. we give italy a score of four our six. >> for some reason, she cannot keep her eyes of the players there. we will be back in one minute with more news. >> stick around.

>> welcome back. with the presidential election in egypt in full swing, 12 candidates are vying for the presidency, another big step in the country's transition to democracy. >> that transition poses a special challenge to minority groups, like the christians, who are one of the oldest christian communities in the middle east. they have been around for nearly 2000 years, but many fear for their place in egyptian society now. >> one of their concerns is the rise of the muslim brotherhood and radical islamist movements since the ousting of president hosni mubarak last year. >> dina and her family are coptic christians. there are about 8 million in egypt, and they make up about 10% of the population.

she and her parents look at campaign photos of the left wing dignity party. since january, her father has represented the party in the new egyptian parliament. she says it is no secret that they are christian, but that they do not define themselves by their religious affiliation. first and foremost, they are citizens of egypt. >> the great majority of egyptians are muslims. egyptian society and culture are deeply influenced by islam, and that culture is also our culture. that is obvious. but there is no contradiction between that and being christian. >> but there are groups in egypt who do not accept the christians as part of the nation. after another church was set alight, cops lead a protest in cairo last october. at least 24 were killed by

security forces. dina and her friend muhamed make their way to the campaign office of the socialist secular nationalist candidate, who was inspired by the former egyptian leader. their concern -- they are concerned about the future of their country. here it does not matter if people are christians or muslims. that is one of the reasons dns supports this candidate. >> he talks about the people as a single unit. i feel as if he speaks to me as a citizen of egypt, not as someone who is different. i have the same rights as everyone else. >> that is what she is fighting for. before the revolution, cops tended to keep a low profile political. now, she is old enough to show her face on the streets, fighting for her future. who the next president is will

determine how great a role is lomb plays in the country's politics. >> i am just as frightened as the islamists as i am of the old regime. for me, it is important that i am a free citizen, whoever is in government. if the islamists when, i will carry on fighting for my freedom and my rights. i am not a second-class citizen. >> egypt faces a historic decision. after the fall of hosni mubarak, it needs to agree on a new way to move forward. dina is doing everything she can to make sure her voice >> on the other side of their religious divide our fundamentalist muslims who want the introduction of sharia law, based on the teachings of the koran. >> their ideology is fundamentally opposed to women's rights. one such group believes religion

should be the guiding principle in all aspects of life. >> they took the second largest share of the vote in parliamentary elections earlier this year. >> he is a solophi muslim. his beliefs require that he put dacron and the teachings of the prophet mohammad above all else and live as the profit live. >> i did not look at women as they pass. i do not deal with interest on money. i pray regularly. my wife wears a headscarf. when i greet a woman, i do not extend my hand to her. i do not smoke or listen to music. i do not go near sinful places. >> every friday, he preaches in a mosque. he tells his followers that

islam should be the basis for all laws in egypt. he also says boating is a religious duty. -- voting is a religious duty. he says it is the only way to keep moss above the political fray. outside the mosque, he makes no secret of his preferred candidate. an islamic moderate who replaced a solophi candidate who was barred from standing. he says he will ensure that the country is ruled according to islamic standards. and of the muslim brotherhood also want government based on religion, but their main goal is to attain power. we are more well liked because

we want to bring people closer to religion. solophis make up the second largest bloc in parliament, but many egyptians say they have not delivered on their campaign promises. >> i will not give them my vote. look up parliament. they have been promising minimum wage for a year-and-a-half, but we have seen nothing yet. >> i do not think the support women going to work. we saw this during parliamentary voting when female candidates pictures on posters were covered up. >> she considers the elections as part of a transition, one that will take the country from that to less bad. he believes things will only get better once sharia law is in place. >> the revolutions in egypt and

elsewhere in the arab world where some of the defining events of last year as millions of people demanded human-rights they had been denied for decades. >> but the struggle for those rights goes on across the globe, as amnesty international points out in its annual report for 2011, which was published today. in particular, amnesty calls on united nations security council to do more to combat the trade in small arms. it says these are the weapons most used in human rights abuses. >> this month saw yet more protests in egypt with people taking to the streets to demand their rights. the uprisings in the arab world have inspired movements around the world. russia has seen demonstrations against the government as well. people are demanding their rights to free speech and freedom of assembly. amnesty international sees these as positive signs, but the chinese government feels under threat. >> because of fears that the

arab spring could spill over into china, in february last year, china experienced one of the worst wave of repression since the demonstrations in 1989. then a hand guns and light firearms are used in at least 60% of the cases of human rights abuses that amnesty has documented. that is why it is demanding strict rules to control the international arms trade. >> the major arms exporting nations have a veto in the united nations security council, which is meant to play an important role in protecting human rights. so it is not surprising that russia, for example, which is the biggest supplier of arms to the assad government in syria, has so far blocked an arms embargo. >> in july, the united nations will look at the issue of the arms trade. amnesty international has high hopes for that conference. >> one country singer out by

amnesty international is uganda, which has been ruled by one man for nearly three decades. >> he is credited with bringing much-needed economic and political stability to you gotta, but he is also blamed for increasing restrictions on political opposition as well as the media. >> freedom of speech -- a basic human right, and one ugandan are keen to exercise. over the past year, they have joined the opposition leader in a very vocal protest against the government. >> we want to overthrow the government but not with weapons. support us, then the regime must go. >> the figurehead of that regime is the ugandan president, who has been in power for 26 years. he signed up to many important human rights treaties, but

abuses are rife in uganda. there are widespread cases against women. -- of abuse against women. that did not stop demonstrations breaking out last year in the capital and lasting for weeks. amnesty international season and echo of events in tunisia and egypt -- sees an echo of events in tunisia and egypt. >> it is not surprising that the situation in north africa spilled over into other countries fear the underlying factors are often the same, including the government using a security apparatus to clamp down on people. modulation, discrimination, people living in poverty. >> the government reacted with brute force. securities used water cannon and fired into crowds, killing at least nine people. opposition leaders and hundreds of their supporters were arrested. >> the problem is that many of the rulers in africa have not learned much from their peers in

north africa. their reaction was the same. they are also repressing criticism and dissent. therefore, we saw very much in 2011 leaders in africa being part of the problem and not of the solution. >> for his part, the ugandan president says he is going nowhere. he was reelected last year in a disputed contest and will serve at least four more years. >> all right. that is it for this edition of the "journal." do not forget -- you can watch us again on our website, www.dw.de. >> thank you for watching. we will see you again. captioned by the national captioning institute --www.ncicap.org--