German elections return a centre-right government

**Banquo's Ghost** · 09-27-2009, 19:23

It looks as if the SPD has suffered a substantial rebuff at the polls and Chancellor Merkel has been re-elected - this time with the option to form a coalition of the centre-right, rather than relying on the Social Democrats.

It's clear that Mrs Merkel is widely trusted by the electorate and now they have given her the chance to drive through her original plans.

German voters gave conservative chancellor Angela Merkel a second term today and allowed her to dump her centre-left coalition partners in favour of the pro-business Free Democrats (FDP), projections showed.

Her challenger in the vote, Social Democrat (SPD) Frank-Walter Steinmeier, appeared on television shortly after the first projections came out and conceded that his party had suffered a "bitter defeat".

What will this mean for Germany and the rest of Europe?

**Husar** · 09-27-2009, 19:38

I really hope the CDU will finally ban video games, install cameras on all public places and some of those other nice policies their members seem to bring up again and again.

In other words, my hopes are actually on a strong FDP now, not sure their policies are all good and for the better, but we'll see about that.

**Furunculus** · 09-27-2009, 21:27

Europe's Center-Left Parties Stuck in a Dead End
http://www.spiegel.de/international/...650812,00.html

**Beskar** · 09-28-2009, 01:06

I think the Liberal Democrats should get into power, it is worth it just for the total shock of it all. Maybe the opposition could be UKIP.

Having labour and tories in 3rd and 4th would be an amusing sight.

**Aemilius Paulus** · 09-28-2009, 03:33

Just how "Christian" is CDU? Any Germans here that can answer that? I have read considerable amounts of news on them, mainly from the Economist but I fail to see how a Western European, rather secular nation can have a party named "CDU". To what extent does their purported religiosity influence their actions?

**Fragony** · 09-28-2009, 07:22

Originally Posted by Aemilius Paulus

Just how "Christian" is CDU? Any Germans here that can answer that? I have read considerable amounts of news on them, mainly from the Economist but I fail to see how a Western European, rather secular nation can have a party named "CDU". To what extent does their purported religiosity influence their actions?

Nothing special, or biggest/second biggest (currently tied with mr Wilders) is called the Christian democratic -don't know how to translate last word-.

**Furunculus** · 09-28-2009, 08:32

i like the sound of the FDP, germany may be going somewhere useful now.

free-market
non-corporatist
pro-afghanistan
pro-nuclear

the only fly in the ointment is that that are pro EU-federalist, but then who isn't these days in euro politics.

i think the result is great, shame portugal didn't crown the moment by booting the socialists.

**Kralizec** · 09-28-2009, 11:38

Originally Posted by Aemilius Paulus

Just how "Christian" is CDU? Any Germans here that can answer that? I have read considerable amounts of news on them, mainly from the Economist but I fail to see how a Western European, rather secular nation can have a party named "CDU". To what extent does their purported religiosity influence their actions?

I'm pretty sure that most European countries have at least one christian democratic party, and that the UK is an exception.

Ours doesn't explicitly refer to the bible anymore when they want to get something done because that would alienate many centrist voters, but I suspect that a substantial part of them is just hiding their true colors.

**Husar** · 09-28-2009, 11:56

This guy sums up my position very well, but be aware it's a bit more than a year old and in german.
He mentions how 70% said in a poll that they like Merkel and in the same poll 70% said they're not satisfied with the government. I was reminded of that when I saw an ad on a paper earlier that said "If you want Merkel, you have to vote CDU." which leads me to conclude a lot of people really have no idea who or what they're voting for.

**Aemilius Paulus** · 09-29-2009, 00:36

Originally Posted by Kralizec

I'm pretty sure that most European countries have at least one christian democratic party, and that the UK is an exception..

Of course, I know that. But it seems that among the major nations, Germany is the only one with a self-described as "Christian" party. Of course, all nations likewise have some variant of the Nazi and the communist party, but you do not see those anywhere close to power. Usually.

Anyway, guys, check out another political oddity:

NATIONAL BOLSHEVISM - I kid you not:

It actually, quite easily, makes sense, but they manner in which those nutjobs present it is simply farcical

.

In any case, Louis, this proves Russian superiorly over your measly Frogs. (please do not ask me how much vodka it took for us to come up with this pile of manure)

**Evil_Maniac From Mars** · 09-28-2009, 19:57

Originally Posted by Aemilius Paulus

Just how "Christian" is CDU? Any Germans here that can answer that? I have read considerable amounts of news on them, mainly from the Economist but I fail to see how a Western European, rather secular nation can have a party named "CDU". To what extent does their purported religiosity influence their actions?

CDU, not really. CSU, more so.

Originally Posted by Meneldil

Another OECD survey (can't find it atm) concluded that UK has a low social mobility, a bit better than Portugal or Italy, but similar to France's or Belgium's. It seems reality is quite far from the 'free-market creates more social mobility' mantra.

I would argue that the free market does, but corporatism doesn't necessarily do so.