How would you have voted? Germany

[Jerseyrules]

Because I couldn't find a thread for Germany, here's a new one.  Presidential or parliamentary.  And go

[Jerseyrules]

Pretty much CDU/CSU until 2005, then switch to FDP.

[Jerseyrules]

2009 - CDU
2005 - CDU
2002 - FDP
1998 - SDP
1994 - CDU
1990 - CDU
1987 - Greens
1983 - FDP
1980 - FDP
1976 - FDP
1972 - FDP
1969 - FDP
1965 - CDU
1961 - FDP
1957 - CDU
1953 - CDU
1949 - CDU

Why would a right-winger who supported SPD in 1998 not support them again in 2002 ?

Well the reason I see myself supporting the SDP in '98 is not only because of the party's 3rd way centrism and moderation but also as a "it's time to retire Kohl" vote. His government had been in power too long and Germany needed some fresh air, by 2002 there was no longer any such need.     

"Let's have left-wingers win elections once every 30 years, just for fun's sake. But only for one term, otherwise they might be tempted to enact left-wing policies."

Actually yeah, now you've got it!

[Jerseyrules]

2009 - CDU
2005 - CDU
2002 - FDP
1998 - SDP
1994 - CDU
1990 - CDU
1987 - Greens
1983 - FDP
1980 - FDP
1976 - FDP
1972 - FDP
1969 - FDP
1965 - CDU
1961 - FDP
1957 - CDU
1953 - CDU
1949 - CDU

Why would a right-winger who supported SPD in 1998 not support them again in 2002 ?

Well the reason I see myself supporting the SDP in '98 is not only because of the party's 3rd way centrism and moderation but also as a "it's time to retire Kohl" vote. His government had been in power too long and Germany needed some fresh air, by 2002 there was no longer any such need.     

"Let's have left-wingers win elections once every 30 years, just for fun's sake. But only for one term, otherwise they might be tempted to enact left-wing policies."

Actually yeah, now you've got it!

I feel the same way about right-wingers, so no worries.

Haha, anything to prevent the silent landslide

[Jerseyrules]

2009 - CDU
2005 - CDU
2002 - FDP
1998 - SDP
1994 - CDU
1990 - CDU
1987 - Greens
1983 - FDP
1980 - FDP
1976 - FDP
1972 - FDP
1969 - FDP
1965 - CDU
1961 - FDP
1957 - CDU
1953 - CDU
1949 - CDU

Why would a right-winger who supported SPD in 1998 not support them again in 2002 ?

Well the reason I see myself supporting the SDP in '98 is not only because of the party's 3rd way centrism and moderation but also as a "it's time to retire Kohl" vote. His government had been in power too long and Germany needed some fresh air, by 2002 there was no longer any such need.     

"Let's have left-wingers win elections once every 30 years, just for fun's sake. But only for one term, otherwise they might be tempted to enact left-wing policies."

Actually yeah, now you've got it!

I feel the same way about right-wingers, so no worries.

Me too. That's why I'm growing concerned about Sweden.

Why, what's going on in Sweden?

[Jerseyrules]

The left coalition has lost their second election in a row and is still down in the polls. The Social Democrats' leader proved to be an epic fail and resigned recently, leaving the party which once never got below 40% with around 20% of support.

Ah.  Well sucks to be a lefty up there!

[Jerseyrules]

No, I think we all know who you would have voted for in the 1930s...

Not.  Nice.  

Plus there weren't elections then in the sense that there was only one name on the ballot....

[Jerseyrules]

1871: Deutsche Fortschrittspartei
1874: Deutsche Fortschrittspartei
1877: Deutsche Fortschrittspartei or Liberale Vereinigung
1878: Deutsche Fortschrittspartei or Liberale Vereinigung
1881: Deutsche Fortschrittspartei or Liberale Vereinigung
1884: Deutsche Freisinnige Partei
1887: Deutsche Freisinnige Partei
1890: Deutsche Freisinnige Partei
1893: Freisinnige Volkspartei
1898: Freisinnige Volkspartei
1903: Freisinnige Volkspartei
1907: Freisinnige Volkspartei
1912: Fortschrittliche Volkspartei

So I guess up till Hitler, essentially Bismarck-esque parties?

[Jerseyrules]

So I guess up till Hitler, essentially Bismarck-esque parties?

Uh no, they were the anti-Bismarck liberals.  The pro-Bismarck "liberals" were the Nationalliberalen.

Sorry, my post-Bismarck to WW2 knowledge about German politics is limited, and the rest is shaky at best.

[Jerseyrules]

The areas that they cooperated with the SPD in; free speech, legalizing unions, repealing the anti-Socialist laws, anti-anti-Semitism etc. are areas that I'd have agreed with the SPD too, so that's hardly a dealbreaker for me.  I'm aware that they weren't nearly as radical as I am, but then hardly anyone is.

[Tepidly raises hand]

[Jerseyrules]

The areas that they cooperated with the SPD in; free speech, legalizing unions, repealing the anti-Socialist laws, anti-anti-Semitism etc. are areas that I'd have agreed with the SPD too, so that's hardly a dealbreaker for me.  I'm aware that they weren't nearly as radical as I am, but then hardly anyone is.

[Tepidly raises hand]

Nope.

If I said some of my beliefs, it would be considered trolling and I would risk being banned for inflammatory remarks or some sh-t

[Jerseyrules]

CDU till 2002.  Then as a "retire Kohl" vote FDP, CDU under Merkel.  Btw how does it look for her re-election?  Also, in Germany do people vote more based on their constituency's candidates or just their preferred parties?  Also, why is it that Merkel has approvals in the 60's but CDU would only get 30's or 40's in terms of votes according to recent-ish polls?

[Jerseyrules]

CDU till 2002.  Then as a "retire Kohl" vote FDP, CDU under Merkel.  Btw how does it look for her re-election?  Also, in Germany do people vote more based on their constituency's candidates or just their preferred parties?  Also, why is it that Merkel has approvals in the 60's but CDU would only get 30's or 40's in terms of votes according to recent-ish polls?

I'm no expert on Germany, but with regards to her re-election right now it looks like the only possible result of the next election is a CDU-SPD "grand coalition", with whichever party comes in first getting the Chancellorship. The CDU is still in first place by a good margin, so the odds are very strong that Merkel will be Chancellor under a CDU-SPD coalition, just like she was from 2005-2009.

Why did the original grand coalition fall apart anyway?

Also would it be possible to have a merger of the Pirate Party and the FDP?  What would be the results of such a merger?