Posted on 09/18/2005 12:12:37 AM PDT by alessandrofiaschi
New estimate of overhang mandates says 9 for SPD 5 for CDU, so at least CDU will hang on as the largest party come what may in Dresden
I'm sorry, Michael. From reading other threads over the past few weeks, I know how much you wanted this election. I wish things were different even if was just for your sake. Keep your spirits up. :0)
Now those are some ominous last words...
Yeah, I heard that too. We´ll be the strongest party, but Merkel is damaged. Germany, where are you going??
Tell you what? We´re going to vote early again within the next 2 years!!!
At 4:30 EST, the BBC on NPR was portraying it as a razor thin margin for Merkel. Indeed, Schroeder's party was saying it was a Victory for them! Nobody would be able to form a coalition to rule the country, so Schroeder thinks he can retain power. Clearly, the people didn't want to give up cozy govt. handouts, although they know economic reform is desperately needed.
To hell in a hand basket, it appears. What a messed up mess the German political system is, and you think the checks and balances of our separate executive and legislative branches "ain't too brilliant."
Or rather within the next few months. What we have now is a real travesty.
Germany, where are you going??
Michael, if Schroeder gets it again, there will be no more NATO and a common defense bond will be struck with Russia and France. Russia has you in their favorite position already, most energy will be supplied by them, so don't say anything wrong without considering the consequences.
Where have I seen that before?
Your future depends on this administration, fight!!!!!!!!!!!! Good luck.
That's bad thinking. You know the leftist answer to economic problems, even if created by government: more government.
And in Europe, that impulse is even worse then it is here.
Well, considering what we have now - for the first time since the founding of our Republic - a majority system would be better.
Nah, Schröder is history, at least on that I was right (but it´s shocking to see that it was such a narrow lead for the CDU/CSU - we lost heavily in NRW, Bavaria and the East).
Thanks. I´m still here, because I want to know that we´re the strongest party. Three years ago, I went to bed with that idea - and when I woke up everything has changed.
Keep up the fight, and good luck. You're gonna need it.
Yep. /head almost sinking
Try here and click on the lower left corner of the "DW-TV" button on the right side of the screen.
Since 1998, I've lived in Germany for all but one year. In this time I have met a great deal of Germans from all over the country. Saying that, I can honestly tell you that I can count the number of Germans that I've met that are no hardcore leftists on one hand. I never really believed for a second all the talk about Germany being ready and willing for a change; I just didn't see it in the people. I guess 12% unemployment and a failing economy aren't enough. Anyway, I'm out of here and heading back to the States in a couple of months and looking forward to it now more than ever.
I'm sorry about this result. Don't give up though. Keep your head up.
How soon can new elections be held?
I think what went wrong for you was that Germans still viewed Schroder very favorably.
If you can have new elections in 1 year, Merkel could go to the electorate like Koizumi did in Japan and say "Germany needs to be reformed but I cannot reform Germany in a Grand Coalition. Therefore I ask for Parliament to dissolve so that new elections can be held".
If there are new elections within one year, Merkel won't have to deal with Schroder's charisma and she will be running with the authority as Chancellor.
And the Left Party may dissolve within one year now that Lafontaine has screwed everything up for all the major parties.
If Linke did not merge together, Merkel would have a Black Yellow Coalition because the two parties making up linke would not have gotten over 5% neccasary to be represented in the Bundestag. Or the Left Party may simply lose popularity.
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