German federal election (September 18, 2005)

[Cubby]

I remember the New York Times saying within the past 2 years that Germany at the present time resembles Britain in the 1970's, and seems on the verge of a Thatcher-like revolution in politics.

My ancestors are from Saxony, on the Eastern border. Who does that Lander usually vote for in national elections?

2nd Question- Why did the CDU/CSU run Edmund Stoiber in 2002 instead of Angela Merkel? Did she refuse to run then or did the party not want her? Supposedly she has kept in touch with the Bush Administration over the past few years, I hope she doesn't take any advice from them.

[Cubby]

Thanks for the information and maps Old Europe. Its funny how Bavaria is so overwhelmingly CDU/SU. Someone I who has been there called it the "Texas of Germany".

I see that Saxony was the only state in the former East to elect the CDU in 2002. Is this because of the religion divide like you said?

I wonder what the point of the FDP is. Is it a protestant or secular version of the CDU? They are both center-right parties if I remember correctly.

[Cubby]

Some news from the campaign:

2) There are growing tensions between the SPD and the Greens. Apparently, the SPD tries to get rid of the Greens by pissing them off so much that they either leave the coalition or vote against Schröder in the vote of confidence. This is probably another indication that the SPD is hoping for a grand coalition after this election.

If they want to form a coalition why would they deliberately antagonize another party? Does a grand coalition mean CDU+SPD or is it between all the parties?

Its sad to see the famous "Red/Green" Coalition breakup this way

[Cubby]

The June 13th issue of Newsweek surprisingly had a half page article on Angela Merkel titled "A Radical Change Agent".

While its great to see a popular magazine other than the Economist mention European politics, I was dissapointed with the article. It seemed to be trying to paint Merkel as an American lackey, who "wears jeans, listens to western music and is a practicing Lutheran" and "is grateful to America for helping to defeat communism".

The main point seemed to be that she'd be a great improvement over Schroeder, and would act in America's interests. The first paragraph about her being a rebel in the Commie East Germany of her youth is especially hokey.

[Cubby]

The June 13th issue of Newsweek surprisingly had a half page article on Angela Merkel titled "A Radical Change Agent".

Well, maybe only "A Moderate Change Agent"...

While its great to see a popular magazine other than the Economist mention European politics, I was dissapointed with the article. It seemed to be trying to paint Merkel as an American lackey...

That´s what many Germans are probably thinking too.   But as I said earlier in this thread... this won´t exactly be a problem for her unless Bush decides to bomb Iran or North Korea between now and election day.

... who "wears jeans, ...

When? Well, I can´t rule it out, but on the other hand I can´t recall an occasion where she wore jeans. Do they have proof?

... listens to western music ...

What do they mean with "western music"? As in "Country & Western" or just "music from the western world"?

If "Country & Western": LMAO... this is one is certainly new for me.
If "music from the western world": Well, everybody does... big deal. It would be a shocking revelation for me that Merkel does NOT listen to "western music".

... and is a practicing Lutheran"...

This might be a surprising fact considering that she´s from the secular east... and a member of the often Catholic-dominated CDU (but things change, I guess).

But it´s not that surprising considering that she´s the daughter of a Lutheran pastor.

..."is grateful to America for helping to defeat communism".

No idea if she said this or really thinks this.

The main point seemed to be that she'd be a great improvement over Schroeder, ...

Well, this has to be proven.

... and would act in America's interests.

Most of the time, yes. But don´t expect from her to send troops to Iraq anytime soon. And if I recall correctly, her stance on an EU membership of Turkey is in direct opposition to the Bush Administration´s plans for Turkey.

On the hand, Schröder once risked to get ousted by sending troops to Afghanistan. So, I guess, everything is relative.

The first paragraph about her being a rebel in the Commie East Germany of her youth is especially hokey.

Yeah, sure, I was one too, didn´t you know that?

I´ve watched an portrait about her on CNN this morning, where similar things where said. It seems the claim that she was "an anti-communist rebel" is based on the fact that she sung the socialist Internationale in English on one occasion in school.

Old Europe: They meant she was listening to Western (Capitalist/Democracy) music from the free side of the Iron Curtain. The incident they refer to is when she was in school in East Germany. I guess during the Cold War people there and in other Soviet Bloc countries weren't supposed to like American, French, etc. music.

[Cubby]

Why is Schroeder so insistant about not forming a coalition with the Greens again? Have there been problems over the past four years within the Red-Green government?

[Cubby]

I feel like its September 2002 all over again, just with a stronger CDU candidate. I remember back during the war (2003) reading a New York Times article that said that Germany was in an economic malaise and that Merkel was a Thatcher-type potential leader who could shake up Germany in more ways than one.

That hasn't happened tonight. Yea! Although Schroeder does have to make economic reforms to reduce that unemployment and bring jobs back to the country.

Ag & BRTD: The same NY Times article mentioned that Merkel was in discussions with the Bush Administration, about what god only knows. Thats when I formed a dislike of her, since its unpatriotic to have talks with foreign governments when you are not in power. What the heck was she planning? But you're right that she did continually deny that she'd send troops to Iraq now.