BERLIN (Reuters) - The political future of Germany's vice chancellor may hinge on the outcome of a vote next week by his Social Democrats (SPD) over whether to back a trade deal between the European Union and Canada. SPD leader Sigmar Gabriel has championed the Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement (CETA) as part of his remit as economy minister, and to demonstrate the centre-left party's business credentials. TIGHT VOTEGabriel ruffled feathers last month when he said talks on the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) - a parallel trade deal the EU is negotiating with Washington - had "de facto" failed. In a late attempt to win over doubters within his party, Gabriel travelled to Canada on Thursday and wrested guarantees for clarifications on ambiguous parts of the treaty from Trade Minister Chrystia Freeland and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Hoping to crank up the pressure ahead of the vote, opponents of CETA and TTIP have organised demonstrations against both accords in seven German cities for Saturday.

Source: The Star September 16, 2016 10:39 UTC