Conservative Liberal alliance elected in Germany

[mightypeon]

Hi there,

today was the election for Germanys Parlament.

The Conservative CDU (roughly equivalent to McCain like Republicans) came out on top with 33.6%, together with the FDP (Libertarian, at least they say so) going strong at 15%.

With 23% the left center SPD got their worst result ever.
Most of their losses went towards the Green Party and the left party who got 10 and 12 % repectivly.

Both the fascist NPD and the Libertarian/Civil Rights Pirate Party did not made the 5% boundary.

The results are not final, but strongly indicate a shift to the right.

Given the fact that the SPD totally betrayed its elective potential by backing Neo-Liberal reforms, the outcome is hardly suprising.

 

[Polk]

This is the worst possible outcome for Merkel.

 

[garyd]

And?

 

[mightypeon]

This is the worst possible outcome for Merkel.

I dont think so, both the FDP and the CDU have annoucned their intention to form a coalition.
And currently it seems as if they have the seats for that.

 

[garyd]

It is intriguing if only from the perspective that while the American government lurches ever more left much of the rest of the world is headed in the other direction.

And lets face it such shifts are far more important in Europe than in the US.

 

[mightypeon]

Well, both the CDU and the CSU would be on the left of the Republican spectrum. Economy wise, the FDP is very market liberal, but other wise also more to the left than the US republicans.
Also, a main reason for the defeat of the SPD was that they went to far to the right.
Their electors fled in drove to the left and green parties, or to some minor groups.

 

[Polk]

This is the worst possible outcome for Merkel.

I dont think so, both the FDP and the CDU have annoucned their intention to form a coalition.
And currently it seems as if they have the seats for that.

Merkel has to publicly state that's what she wants, but the result puts her in an odd position. She'll have to enter into this deal, but they'll never be able to deliver on their campaign promises. That was fine during the grand coalition, because she could note she didn't have the votes. The excuses go away with a clear mandate.

 

[Polk]

It is intriguing if only from the perspective that while the American government lurches ever more left much of the rest of the world is headed in the other direction.

And lets face it such shifts are far more important in Europe than in the US.

O please. European conservative parties are about where the Democrats are.