2013 Elections in Germany

[Franzl]

Well, at least it seems like it's either CDU/FDP or SPD/Greens. No grand coalition, Black-Green, or Red-Red-Green bullsh**t.

A tie still seems possible...

[Franzl]

It's back to 72-72 tie on ZDF. I don't quite get in which circumstances there are extra-seats allocated.

I don't think anyone does...

[Franzl]

Recount!!!

[Franzl]

What's the story behind the CDU leader in Lower Soxony having such a Scottish sounding name?

He's a dual Scottish-German citizen

[Franzl]

http://www.ndr.de/regional/niedersachsen/landtagswahl_niedersachsen_2013/eventlivestream865.html

Any moment now... NDR cameras already aimed at where the Landeswahlleiter is supposed to announce the result....

Come on, hurry up... I want to go to bed.

Ich muss morgen um 6 raus...

[Franzl]

And there you have it. Black-yellow and McAllister have been defeated.

[Franzl]

Tuition fees are certainly the main reason I would have voted SPD yesterday.

[Franzl]

So, Red-Green won by one ?

Nice.

And no recount. Nobody going to court. Nobody claiming irregularities...

[Franzl]

Regarding Niedersachsen:

You must be logged in to read this quote.

According to wahlrecht.de

(Translation: If the SPD loses 1399 votes to the FDP, the red-green majority would be gone. A lot, but theoretically possible between now and the final result.)

[Franzl]

Yes, if education was the most important issue for voters and over 70% are against tuition fees, it's no wonder that the red-green victory could take place. One thing to remember, especially when following this from some country with high study fees is that in Germany or in its neighbors there's no tradition of study fees for public universities - you only pay the semester contribution (often to the student council) which entitles you to student discounts and free local public transport. About 10 years ago the black-yellow coalitions started introducing the 500€ semester fees, and at the high point in 2007-08 there were fees in all western states except Schleswig-Holstein and Rheinland-Pfalz (don't really know about Bremen though). But they were such a controversial issue that with red-green victories the fees have since been discontinued everywhere expect Bavaria and, until this election, Lower Saxony.

Yes, and education is one of the relatively few relevant things that states are exclusively entitled to legislate on, without any influence from the federal government. So it makes sense that education policy would be a deciding issue in a state election.

[Franzl]

• Red-Green campaigning for abolishment of college fees (Lower Saxony is one of the two states that still impose that fee) - I know from my sister and my sister-in-law, both with children that will finish school this year, that the issue was important, if not decisive for their vote

As a matter of interest, how much are college fees in those German states that charge them?

500 € / semester - not much in international comparison, but still a cost for parents.

Yes, em...

Here we're told that the current annual charges of €2,500 aren't nearly enough and that we need to increase fees to the same level as "most other countries" of about €7-9,000 p.a.

It is (partly) for this reason that I'm currently in the Netherlands fyi to go OT for a brief moment.

They're not exactly cheap either, are they? Over 1000€ a semester, I believe?

[Franzl]

BTW, it seems very likely that Hessen will vote on the same day as the federal election at this point.

[Franzl]

Herzlichen Glückwunsch, Franknburger...

[Franzl]

New Forsa poll (23.01.2013), Federal election:

CDU/CSU: 42%
SPD: 23%
Grüne: 14%
Linke: 8%

FDP: 4%
Piraten: 4%

CDU slightly short of absolute majority (42-45).
Red-Green far away from majority (37-50).

[Franzl]

New Forsa poll (23.01.2013), Federal election:

CDU/CSU: 42%
SPD: 23%
Grüne: 14%
Linke: 8%

FDP: 4%
Piraten: 4%

CDU slightly short of absolute majority (42-45).
Red-Green far away from majority (37-50).

Looking at Lower Saxony example we can be quite sure about FDP overcoming the threshold with some loan from CDU voters.

If the poll numbers were to stay the same (and that is, of course, a big if), and a CDU absolute majority were possible...I think they could convince their voters to forget about the FDP and make their own party as strong as possible.

[Franzl]

Allensbach, 23.01.2013, Federal Election:

CDU/CSU: 39%
SPD: 28%
Grüne: 14%
Linke: 7%
FDP: 5%

Piraten: 3%

Black-yellow government with no majority (44-49).
Red-green with no majority (42-46).

[Franzl]

State Oldenburg

CDU 41
SPD  31
FDP  13
GRN  15

State? Do you mean "Stadt"? That means city.

[Franzl]

Infratest dimap, 24.01.2013, Federal Election:

CDU/CSU: 42%
SPD: 27%
Grüne: 14%
Linke: 6%

FDP: 4%
Piraten: 3%

[Franzl]

Emnid, 27.01.2013, Federal Election:



CDU/CSU: 41%
SPD: 27%
Grüne: 13%
Linke: 7%

FDP: 4%
Piraten: 4%

Black short of a majority (41-47).
Red-green short of a majority (40-48).

[Franzl]

Polls in Leipzig have closed some minutes ago. Up-to-date results can be found at the world wide web: (I'm not allowed to post links).

leipzig.de/de/buerger/politik/wahlen/obm/2013/wahlergebnis-24701.aspx

Turnout is higher then in 2006 (around 41 per cent).

www.leipzig.de/de/buerger/politik/wahlen/obm/2013/wahlergebnis-24701.aspx

[Franzl]

Keep the talk about Austria in your thread..  We've got serious stuff to discuss in this one.

Nicht ernst nehmen...

[Franzl]

Forsa, 30.01.2013, Federal Election:

CDU/CSU: 40%
SPD: 25%
Grüne: 15%
Linke: 8%

FDP: 4%
Piraten: 3%

Black short of a majority (40-48).
Red-Green short of a majority (40-48).

[Franzl]

n-tv claimed that 2/3-3/4 of Bavarians oppose tuition fees.

If true, considering red-green is taking over Niedersachsen, Germany will once again be without general tuition fees anywhere!

[Franzl]

n-tv claimed that 2/3-3/4 of Bavarians oppose tuition fees.

If true, considering red-green is taking over Niedersachsen, Germany will once again be without general tuition fees anywhere!

Interesting.

This is based on what (poll) ? Or just wild guessing by n-tv ?

I find it funny that Germany moves away from tuition fees while we are introducing them with March in an adapted form.

It seems like practically every Western state had them for a short while, but they've proved quite unpopular.

Considering the margin, they might have cost McAllister his job.

[Franzl]

Emnid, 03.02.2013, Federal Election:

CDU/CSU: 41%
SPD: 27%
Grüne: 14%
Linke: 7%

FDP: 4%
Piraten: 4%