[lowbuck]

Good analysis of the rise of the "new" Left Party and why it appeals to many of the voters here in Germany. Hopefully they will drain votes from the SPD/Greens and give the CDU/CSU an absolute majority. Then, maybe, reform can begin.

[Owl558]

Sounds like the classic spoiler candidate.

[ncountylee]

Article is a very good read.

[RedMonqey]

Unemployment hovers near seven-decade highs despite Schr?der's 1998 campaign promise to cut the number in half-the ranks of German jobless are a still at 11%, the same rate as when Lafontaine bolted.

11% unemployment? If Bush EVER had numbers like that, the Democrats would tremble with orgasmic delight.

Yet this is the model system the libs want US to follow?