Who should you vote for in Germany? (The Wahlomat)

[migrendel]

I could only see myself as supporting the PDS. Schroeder, like Blair, betrayed the principles of socialism, and it is impossible to forgive the Hartz IV reforms. As disturbing as the prospect of Angela Merkel seems to be, her victory is nigh inevitable, and it is not the time to cast an insincere vote to save a bad government.

The Greens' idealism is quite attractive, but I think they need to be given more time to grow and develop, whereas many in the PDS already have the experience of running East Germany. The FDP can be dismissed without any discussion; a cursory glance at its economic policies says it all. All I can say to German voters is that you have an historic choice to make. Your children will remember you for your complicity in the destruction of institutional socialism by means of eviscerating its political champion or your willingness to sacrifice power in order to regain touch with your wayward ideals. Please, for all the world, choose wisely.

[migrendel]

I categorically deny that I'm a toff, and I daresay the administrative experience the former Communists have from running East Germany is far better than none at all. However, Al's third point is valid, and I should be clearer. What I meant was the ability to progress towards institutional socialism, though it perhaps sounded differently. Surely you can agree that a government that would cut the unemployment benefit to 340 Euros a month is ill-equipped to defend socialist principles.