German Opposition to grant asylum for Edward Snowden

German Left Party President Bernd Riexinger told the "Mitteldeutsche Zeitung" that he supported Germany granting asylum to Snowden. He underlined, "There is a political way to bring Snowden to Germany and to protect him from being extradited to American officials."  Expressing that it's obvious the government has no political will to do this, Riexinger added that more than half the Lower House of German Parliament and three of four political parties stand for Snowden's entry into Germany.  Green Party member Jurgen Trittin said, "Edward Snowden leaked a big phone hacking scandal. He is not someone who committed a crime. Because of this he has the right to reside in Germany." Social Democrat Party (SPD) member of parliament Thomas Oppermann stressed the importance of a fast hearing for Snowden. Oppermann expressed, "If Snowden accepts, we can do it in a speedy way in Moscow. Otherwise it's also possible that the hearing could take place in Germany," he said, adding that a residence permit for Snowden was not excluded.  Christian Democratic Union of Germany (CDU) domestic politics speaker Hans Peter Uhl warned of the Snowden issue in the "Passauer Neue Presse" newspaper. He underlined that it's not necessary to bring Snowden to Germany to uncover US spying in Germany. Uhl indicated that relations with the United States "cannot shoulder unlimited burden."