Merkel facing a communist resurgence in German elections

Christian Science Monitor ^ | August 31, 2009 | Robert Marquand

[SolidWood]

In local German elections, the successor to East Germany's Communist Party makes major inroads, a potential challenge for Chancellor Angela Merkel ahead of national elections in September.

PARIS – Sunday’s local German elections favoring left parties were variously described as “a wake up call,” a “shock,” and a “setback” for Chancellor Angela Merkel.

But while the results may affect her plans for Germany’s next governing coalition, few analysts expect the popular German leader will lose national elections scheduled for Sept. 27.

Nevertheless, the former Communist Party of East Germany, now known as the Left Party, made startling gains in the three states where elections were held. Die Linke, as the Left Party is called, moved from the low single digits in the last election to more than 20 percent in all three states.

Driving the party’s success was its leader, Oscar Lafontaine, a popular figure in his native Saarland but often described in the temperate German media as a “divisive” figure. Mr. Lafontaine called the outcome “an unprecendented victory in the history of German political parties.”

[SolidWood]

Local elections is not accurate... it's state level elections. In some cases the Communists are crushing the mainstream Social-Democrat Party.

Gregor Gysi and Oskar Lafontaine of the neo-Communist "Linke" party.

[SolidWood]

ping

[napscoordinator]

First Japan and Now Germany....Actually America was first.

[RushIsMyTeddyBear]

LOL! Soooooo true.

[mikelets456]

Freaking communists....greedy freaking a-holes!

[The Duke]

Uncle Sam to Germany: "C'mon in boys - the water's great!"

[Master Shake]

I thought Germans were supposed to be industrious. They’re ten months behind our Communist resurgence that put Obam...uhhh... in the White House.

[what's up]

So what’s the main issue driving this? Recession? WOT? Boredom with Merkel? What?

[WellyP]

Die Linke, The Left Party! Where is the money to run the party comming from? RUSSIA comes to mind!

FOLLOW THE MONEY!

[kittycatonline.com]

Nevertheless, the former Communist Party of East Germany, now known as the Left Party, made startling gains in the three states where elections were held

Amazing coincidence, the same thing happened here in the U.S. back in November...

[SolidWood]

All of ‘em. From what I know about German politics, Germans are overwhelmingly in favor of withdrawing from Aghanistan/WOT. The Communists are the only party clearly in favor of withdrawal. But I think the the strong resurgence is largely because of the economic crisis and boredom with the Social-Democrats (SPD) who are in disarray. The Commie voters are largely Social-Democrats who think the SPD is not leftist enough.

[Thunder90]

Russian/Neo Soviet interference in another election????

[Thunder90]

Looks like the Commmies goals are to split NATO and retake Ukraine-—Without using troops or firing a single bullet.

[monday]

“But I think the the strong resurgence is largely because of the economic crisis and boredom with the Social-Democrats (SPD) who are in disarray.”

Well, they voted to make the economic crisis permanent. They haven't seen nothing yet.

[WOBBLY BOB]

bttt

[SoCalPol]

I was in Thuringia, Saxony, etc in East Germany in 1983.
Because they were so far behind West Germany, they still haven’t been brought into the 21st cen.
This is not Merkel’s fault but something that will take time.
The oppression in East Germany was far more severe than many of the other Eastern European countries decades back.

[myknowledge]

Or maybe conquer Western Europe, something the Soviet Union could not do in the Cold War.

[St. Louis Conservative]

Very true. East Germany still hasn’t really been brought into the 21st century, economically speaking.

East Germany has always fascinated me.

[Quickgun]

I just read the title. We feel your pain, Angela.

[Scanian]

At least Germany’s commies admit what they are!