Merkel challenger sees opportunity in tax haven uproar

BERLIN (Reuters) - German Chancellor Angela Merkel's main challenger in a September election accused her government on Monday of failing in the battle against tax evasion by seeking cosy deals with havens like Switzerland when it should be raising pressure on them.

With his Social Democrats (SPD) far behind Merkel's conservatives less than half a year before the German vote, Peer Steinbrueck may be hoping to reduce the gap by focusing on one of his signature policy issues.