Comments on: German Leaders Scrambling to Build Governing Coalition

By: small dead animals

small dead animals — Thu, 29 Sep 2005 18:55:16 +0000

SchrÃ¶der Denies Resignation Plans

German Chancellor Gerhard SchrÃ¶der denies widespread speculation that he is about to resign in the wake of the humiliating defeat in the September 18 elections. Government Denies Resignation Rumors (Deutsche Welle) While Germans wait for the announceme...

By: DL

DL — Tue, 20 Sep 2005 19:58:35 +0000

Recipe for eco-socialist Hassenpfeiffer - mix 1/3 country of staunch socialists with 1/3 country of avowed communists, and 1/3 country of greens- add vineger and what do you get? A desperate need for another Marshall Plan, but don't look for Harry Truman to help out this time - it's not going to happen -perhaps your last American bashing chancellor,just spoiled the stew.

By: M1EK

M1EK — Mon, 19 Sep 2005 16:25:33 +0000

"This would be roughly akin to having George Bush emerge as president and Al Gore vice president and secretary of defense after the 2000 race--except more bitter."

Probably unintentional given the lean here, but this sounds pretty damn appealing after the last 6 years.

By: M. Murcek

M. Murcek — Mon, 19 Sep 2005 15:22:09 +0000

Seems the story's always the same. Germany will have to (politically) hit bottom before it can rebound. I hope our diplomats can anticipate and buffer the worst aspects of that...

By: McGehee

McGehee — Mon, 19 Sep 2005 13:03:18 +0000

I'm afraid I have to agree with Reliapundit. Schroeder will continue to be Chancellor.

By: reliapundit

reliapundit — Mon, 19 Sep 2005 12:44:13 +0000

I have two questions regarding coalition building:

(1) Might Merkel be able to offer the Green Party something - like the ministries of interior and education (some secondary domestic role close to their core issues)- and get a few of their bundestag members to vote with her?

(2) Might Gerhard reneg on his promise NOT to make a deal with Oskar Lafontaine's Left Party?

I think it is probably more likely that Schroeder would break a promise (which means more to the right) than the Greens would make a deal with a coaltion which incudes pro-business pols.