Posted on 08/31/2009 1:39:16 PM PDT by 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 Sundays 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 Germanys 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 partys 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.
(Excerpt) Read more at features.csmonitor.com ...
Gregor Gysi and Oskar Lafontaine of the neo-Communist "Linke" party.
ping
First Japan and Now Germany....Actually America was first.
LOL! Soooooo true.
Freaking communists....greedy freaking a-holes!
So what’s the main issue driving this? Recession? WOT? Boredom with Merkel? What?
Die Linke, The Left Party! Where is the money to run the party comming from? RUSSIA comes to mind!
FOLLOW THE MONEY!
Amazing coincidence, the same thing happened here in the U.S. back in November...
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.
Russian/Neo Soviet interference in another election????
Looks like the Commmies goals are to split NATO and retake Ukraine-—Without using troops or firing a single bullet.
Well, they voted to make the economic crisis permanent. They haven't seen nothing yet.
bttt
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.
Or maybe conquer Western Europe, something the Soviet Union could not do in the Cold War.
Very true. East Germany still hasn’t really been brought into the 21st century, economically speaking.
East Germany has always fascinated me.
I just read the title. We feel your pain, Angela.
At least Germany’s commies admit what they are!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.