One of the Social Democrats' recently defeated state premiers, Reinhard Klimmt, campaigned on a platform of rebellious opposition to the cuts.

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The Social Democrats were in opposition then, and the treaty was defeated.

ECONOMIST: They think their welfare state has fallen into a mess

But critics questioned the economic and social impact of her policies, with former Labour leader Lord Kinnock, who was defeated by her at the ballot box, saying they had been an "unmitigated disaster for Britain".

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