Both sides claim victory after German election

Financial Times ^ | September 18, 2005

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Germany was thrown into political chaos on Sunday evening as the early federal election delivered a hung parliament and both chancellor Gerhard Schröder and Angela Merkel, his conservative challenger, claimed victory and the right to form the next government.

While Ms Merkel's opposition Christian Democratic Union obtained the largest number of votes by a small margin with 35.2 per cent, according to early estimates, it failed to muster a majority for a conservative-liberal coalition with the smaller Free Democratic Party.

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Despite the CDU's poor performance markedly lower than at the election of 2002 and well below recent opinion poll ratings - Ms Merkel still seemed likely to become chancellor, though she might have to govern with her rival Social Democratic Party in the first "grand coalition" since 1966. "We have the difficult task of building a government ahead of us," Ms Merkel said. "But we will throw all our strengths in it because we must go down a path of reforms."

Roland Koch, the CDU state premier of Hessen, quashed rumours that the party's regional barons would challenge her leadership.

The poll was a blow, too, for chancellor Gerhard Schröder, whose gamble in calling a ballot one year ahead of schedule seemed to have misfired as his party was credited with 33.9 per cent of the votes, its worst result since 1990.

Yet the chancellor did not concede defeat.

[SandRat]

Wasn't the Schroeder Govt and the SPD laughing at our last two elections claiming how much better theirs were????

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Yes. Now this should be interesting. I wonder if we should give them advice. They were so helpful during our 2000 election and Florida's voting circus.

[schaketo]

Gerhard Schröder = Al Gore

[not2worry]

Has Schroder asked for intervention by Jimmy Carter or Jessee Jackson yet? I can see it coming....or maybe Kofi will settle the election brouhaha.

Then again, maybe Schroder could have one of his Iranian Iman's oversee the ballot box count.

[charlestongirl]

Maybe it's because something is wrong with their polling booths, ha ha....

[SandRat]

You bring the Off and the Lawn Chairs I have the Party Paks!

[pollyannaish]

Germany...meet Chad.

[jimbo123]

The German people still waiting for a new Fuhrer to lead them. Once he appears, they will all line up behind him.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

[Cincinatus' Wife]

We have trained experts who could fly over and help.

[bill1952]

Yes, but they will call him "Iman."

[Cincinatus' Wife]

All set. Pass the popcorn.

[pollyannaish]

LOL.

[Soul Seeker]

They sure were.

Now we get to take the bag of popcorn and watch this show unfold.

Schroeder's already claimed the role of Al Gore so it should be a lot of fun from our end.

[Recovering Hermit]

Both sides claim victory after German election.

This seems familiar to me somehow.

C'mon Germany...get your sh!t together and show us how a real election should run.

Did they use those pesky punch cards?

[Voltage]

They are not yet sick enough to take their medicine. A few more lost years are in store for them.

[SandRat]

Here you go a complete Party-Pak

PopCorn, Chocolate candy and Coke.

[bill1952]

"I'm telling you, I won!"

[Ostlandr]

"The German people still waiting for a new Fuhrer to lead them. Once he appears, they will all line up behind him."

Not gonna happen, IMHO. If they didn't fall in behind Georg Haider, I don't think they can be turned.
Besides, Germany's entire warrior class was wiped out in WWII.
I won't worry about that until the German Nationalists dig up the Blood Flag and the Spear of Destiny.

[SandRat]

Scoot over Cincinatus' Wife, Soul Seeker wants to join in the pary. Soul Seeker, here's your but you have to bring your own lawn chair.

[bill1952]

From another thread on topic:

All I really know about Germany is what my son tells me -- he has been stationed there for two years and hopes to remain there another year. He loves it.

However, he says the German men are sissyboys who wear tight knit shirts, capri pants, carry purses and giggle like school girls.
He said they are completely intimidated by the Turks in Germany who operate in gangs to beat up people and steal paychecks, and who have no respect for the all the things that make Germany a wonderful place."

This will not vote for anything "strong."

[GSlob]

"Both sides claim victory after German election"
A new era wouldn't dawn there till the headline reads: "Both sides concede defeat after German election". Write it down under "the prophesies".

[untenured]

I argued earlier in the week that the constituency for reform in Germany, France and Italy is too weak, and am saddened to be proven right. Those who would most benefit are too few, and those who benefit from the existing featherbedding too many.

[Ostlandr]

I have friends stationed over there too, and another buddy just got back. According to them, and contrary to popular opinion, there are a few 'right wingers' (actually Nationalist-Socialists) left in Germany- but they are a silent minority for the most part.

[alloysteel]

Yes, Germany has such meaningful elections.

Germany will still have its version of the welfare state, won't provide combat troops in Iraq or Afghanistan, continue their clandestine economic pressure on the US dollar (by substitution of an ersatz "dollar", the euro) in international trade, try to "diplomatically" urge Iran to cease and desist from its nuclear program, and maintain its backdoor transfer of advanced technology to Red China.

[kjo]

To Hell with France and Germany. The only thing they bring to the table are their lies and their lack of gratitude.

[bill1952]

There are a sizable amout of Nazis there, or they different from the National Socialist Party (Nazi) of late?

You know, if it wasn't for the hatred of the Jews by all of Europe, I wonder how history might be very different today.

[bill1952]

I am extremely pessimistic that they will ever emerge from the swamp of socialism.
Unless of course, they are replaced with an Islamic type government.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Thank you kindly.

The German circus is more entertaining than I'd imagined.

Clap! Clap! Clap!!!

[bill1952]

There is a table to share with them?

While many German Freepers have expressed confidence that there will be a return to meaningful relations with America, I remain very skeptical.
It isn't in that system to be compatible with free market Capitalism.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Good one.

LOL

[freedumb2003]

Oooooo

Kit-Kats!

[Cincinatus' Wife]

I found a few more chairs.

I think this might draw a crowd.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Yes. That's why they knock strong leaders like Bush and Blair. They can't stand the comparisons.

[SandRat]

Dang I better put out more Party-Paks.

The Next Freeper to Join has to bring the Citronella Tiki Torch Lights.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

I was hoping someone had tiki lights.

[SandRat]

Gee we we both thinking the same thing.

[SandRat]

... we were thinking the same ....

[freedumb2003]

[SandRat]

Cincinatus' Wife, look what fredumb2003 brought! Tiki Lights and BEER!

[SandRat]

Let's see what else do we need for what is becoming one heck of a backyard party?

Potato Salad
BBQ Ribs
Baked Beans
Brots
Cole Slaw
Cat Fish fillets
Homemade Ice-Cream
Water Melon

[SandRat]

We got a little party going over here care to join? So far have Pop corn, candy, Coke-Cola, lawn chairs, Off, Citronell Tiki Torches, Beer.

[freedumb2003]

Can we have the kids put on a skit?

[SandRat]

Sure why not. They can even sing the silly songs that they all like so much.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

I saw!!

I tracked down some entertainment.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Can we have the kids put on a skit?

Bring them up on the stage!!

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Cat Fish fillets

Yum.

[mylife]

Are they having troubles with the interpretation of hanging or dimpled Rolfs?

[Earthdweller]

I don't have any goodies to contribute but I brought a few of my relatives with me to the party. Hope you don't mind...