Crown

...I think.

RC (Germany) - Rennteam Editor Porsche 991 Turbo S (Sept. 2013), Cayenne GTS (958), BMW X3 35d (2013)

She is photographed next to the E Hybrid @ 3.1l/100 km and 71g/km CO2

Typical politician's branding. 

"Form follows function"

reginos:

She is photographed next to the E Hybrid @ 3.1l/100 km and 71g/km CO2

Typical politician's branding. 

Well...in about two weeks, we know if she is going to have the same job or not. We are actually hoping she does because if she doesn't, this means that the leftist parties have won, which would be a disaster for Germany.

RC (Germany) - Rennteam Editor Porsche 991 Turbo S (Sept. 2013), Cayenne GTS (958), BMW X3 35d (2013)

I thought her re-election was a near certainty. Or is it not?

"Form follows function"

RC:

reginos:

She is photographed next to the E Hybrid @ 3.1l/100 km and 71g/km CO2

Typical politician's branding. 

Well...in about two weeks, we know if she is going to have the same job or not. We are actually hoping she does because if she doesn't, this means that the leftist parties have won, which would be a disaster for Germany.

If she is not reelected, welcome to the club.

reginos:

I thought her re-election was a near certainty. Or is it not?

Nope. It is going to be a very very close race.

RC (Germany) - Rennteam Editor Porsche 991 Turbo S (Sept. 2013), Cayenne GTS (958), BMW X3 35d (2013)

RC:

Well...in about two weeks, we know if she is going to have the same job or not. We are actually hoping she does because if she doesn't, this means that the leftist parties have won, which would be a disaster for Germany.

Unfortunately most Germans are electing mummy again because they believe in her EURO / EZB fairy tales. I admint, the Hollande suckers at the right Rhine bank are even worse regarding that topic ... and Draghi is meanwhile planing the next big thing. Shiver...

who and what is the alternative to Merkel?

sfo:

who and what is the alternative to Merkel?

Depends on your preferences

Regarding the monetary union, an increasing number of people seems to agree with AfD
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_for_Germany

Some views from the UK:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-23847838

http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/finance/matspersson/100025460/germanys-new-anti-euro-party-could-actually-hurt-camerons-chances-in-...

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/comment/ambroseevans_pritchard/9920666/Germanys-anti-euro-party-is-a-nasty-shock-for-Angela-Merkel.html

sfo:

who and what is the alternative to Merkel?

There is no alternative. This is the problem. Conservatives in Germany aren't really happy with Merkel but they are more afraid of the leftist groups. Merkel tries to make everyone happy and this cannot work. She adopted quite a lot of non-typical conservative topics like green energy, social stuff and fighting tax evasion. It works quite well for her popularity though and this is the reason she could actually win this one...again.

The CDU/CSU (conservatives) in Germany are actually what Americans would call liberals (the US Democrats are probably the closest thing to the German CDU/CSU). The FDP (liberals) are more somewhere between the CDU/CSU and right groups, they are actually the closest thing we have to the US Republicans but unfortunately the FDP always has the talent to make the wrong choices regarding their leadership and other stuff.

The SPD is left from the middle but also welcomes some of the ideas of the conservatives (which may be the reason why they've lost so many voters in the past).

GRÜNE/BÜNDNIS90 is actually a very strange case now. In the past, they were left from the leftist SPD but now they have some mixture of left, green and even some conservative politics. Quite confusing and it seems voters think the same (they lost a lot of sympathy lately).

DIE LINKE is the socialist party in Germany, they were also formerly know as the PDS, the successor of the SED state party of the former GDR (East Germany). They don't have any power in Germany but it is surprising how many people in the former GDR region actually vote for them. I guess stupidity never dies.

These are the most important parties in Germany, everything else runs under the radar during these elections.

Oh, since Jesse mentioned it: AfD. A bunch of idiots (or geniuses?) who play on the anti-Euro sentiment of conservative Germans and surprisingly they seem to have lots of followers. Whoever understands politics (and economics) knows that this party has no chance but hey, we are a democracy.

--

RC (Germany) - Rennteam Editor Porsche 991 Turbo S (Sept. 2013), Cayenne GTS (958), BMW X3 35d (2013)

RC:

sfo:

who and what is the alternative to Merkel?

.......These are the most important parties in Germany, everything else runs under the radar during these elections.

A well done summary, however, every new party has to start some day (see my post above)

jesse:

RC:

sfo:

who and what is the alternative to Merkel?

.......These are the most important parties in Germany, everything else runs under the radar during these elections.

A well done summary, however, every new party has to start some day (see my post above)

The problem is that their (AfD) arguments don't stick. There are so many "experts" out there who explain to us how the Eurozone crisis can be battled, incl. those calling for an exit or for a "strong EUR" (with the weaker Eurozone countries leaving the zone, using their national currency again) but none of these things will EVER happen because this would mean that the EU is DONE, finished, bye-bye. I worked years in diplomacy for the government and I can tell you that a seperation of the Eurozone will NEVER happen. I can see the crisis worsen though, for example if Germany gets worse.

Any end to the Eurozone would also mean the end to the EU. Do you see that happen? I do not.

So far, I believe much more in a US recovery and it paid off pretty well.

The whole Eurozone discussion reminds me a little bit of Bavaria and Preussia (seperation) discussion in Germany a couple of decades ago and the current Catalonia discussion in Spain. People make a lot of noise and put a lot of emotions in this stuff, including local politicians but in the end, nothing is going to happen. It just cannot because it would mean the END of a union and of the diplomatic work of the past decades. NEVER going to happen.

--

RC (Germany) - Rennteam Editor Porsche 991 Turbo S (Sept. 2013), Cayenne GTS (958), BMW X3 35d (2013)

the seats in your house get allocated on proporational representation don't they?

2012 991 C2S -PDK / 2010 997.2 turbo cab manual, sold / 2008 Cayenne GTS Manual /2008 RS 60 sold /04 C4S sold - 08 Cayenne Turbo PDCC sold

RC:

jesse:

RC:

sfo:

who and what is the alternative to Merkel?

.......These are the most important parties in Germany, everything else runs under the radar during these elections.

A well done summary, however, every new party has to start some day (see my post above)

The problem is that their (AfD) arguments don't stick. There are so many "experts" out there who explain to us how the Eurozone crisis can be battled, incl. those calling for an exit or for a "strong EUR" (with the weaker Eurozone countries leaving the zone, using their national currency again) but none of these things will EVER happen because this would mean that the EU is DONE, finished, bye-bye. I worked years in diplomacy for the government and I can tell you that a seperation of the Eurozone will NEVER happen. I can see the crisis worsen though, for example if Germany gets worse.

The crisis is already worse than most people can think of. The EUR system will brake sooner or later, if nothing will be changed (I don't know anyone who believes in the recovery of the PIGS states within the 10-20 years). Or look at it in a different way: If Germany quits the Euro, it would cost us arround 1 trillion EUR, but thats cheaper than sliding into the absys. A new (EUR) construct  woud not necessary brake the EEC, which has worked the years before the introductions of a common currency. But as you say, the brake up will never happen, because IMO diplomacy is full of idiots driven by some profiteers.

I think the CDU/CSU is more like the Republicans in the US. CDU is more of an establishment type and the CSU is much more socially conservative, but with a  tendency toward big gov't like Democrats. Frau Merkel has done a lot to harm business, the engergiewende is a colossal overreaction that will cost jobs.

As much as I dislike Gerhard Schroeder personally, his support of Hartz IV did morte for German economic success than anything Frau Merkel has done! I have no problem with Peer Steinbruck, but the Nahles factor in the SPD worries me greatly.

Die Grunen are suffering from the past positions on pedophilia, so glad to see Jurgen Trittin exposed. I still cannot believe we have a Green Premier, former communist Kretschmann in BW and a Green mayor in Stuttgart. Whoever was holding back this info about the Greens past daliance with pedophilia should be commended for releasing it at the right time to stop their rise.

What about AFD? I really like Hans Olaf Henkel .

If AI were a German citizen, previously  I would have  supported the FDP, as their philosophy, low tax, pro-business fits with my view that in order to have a healthy society, you must first have a healthy private economy. That being said their leadership choices have been laughable, they are seriously in need of a personality infusion.

Today I would be for AFD!

I

Shouldn't Greek Citizens be allowed to vote in German elections?  Germany's primary job is to finance Greece, correct?

stubenhocker:

I think the CDU/CSU is more like the Republicans in the US. CDU is more of an establishment type and the CSU is much more socially conservative, but with a  tendency toward big gov't like Democrats. Frau Merkel has done a lot to harm business, the engergiewende is a colossal overreaction that will cost jobs.

No, CDU/CSU is closer to US democrats. No party in Germany is as conservative as the Republicans in the US. Maybe the CSU (without CDU). Also. the "Energiewende" was a coup from Merkel to shut up the SPD and especially the green party (Grüne/Bündnis 90) after Fukushima. Without it, they wouldn't win the next elections, as weird as this may sound. Look at the approval rate of the green party. Ridiculous.

As much as I dislike Gerhard Schroeder personally, his support of Hartz IV did morte for German economic success than anything Frau Merkel has done! I have no problem with Peer Steinbruck, but the Nahles factor in the SPD worries me greatly.

Gerhard Schroeder didn't do anything, his party did...in a big coalition with the CDU/CSU.

Die Grunen are suffering from the past positions on pedophilia, so glad to see Jurgen Trittin exposed. I still cannot believe we have a Green Premier, former communist Kretschmann in BW and a Green mayor in Stuttgart. Whoever was holding back this info about the Greens past daliance with pedophilia should be commended for releasing it at the right time to stop their rise.

What about AFD? I really like Hans Olaf Henkel .

He profits from fear and misinformation. Not my type of guy.

If AI were a German citizen, previously  I would have  supported the FDP, as their philosophy, low tax, pro-business fits with my view that in order to have a healthy society, you must first have a healthy private economy. That being said their leadership choices have been laughable, they are seriously in need of a personality infusion.

Today I would be for AFD!

The FDP had a huge support with lawyers, doctors, pharmacists and entrepreneurs. They lost a lot of it, simply because they didn't do anything to support these groups.

AfD is a  joke. A party for those who are dreamers but do not seem to want to face reality (no offense meant). My biggest fear is that AfD will take away votes from FDP or CDU/CSU, thus lowering the chances of winning the elections again. AfD is under 5% right now, so it would be a big surprise to see them getting into the Bundestag. You never know though.

RC (Germany) - Rennteam Editor Porsche 991 Turbo S (Sept. 2013), Cayenne GTS (958), BMW X3 35d (2013)

"No, CDU/CSU is closer to US democrats. No party in Germany is as conservative as the Republicans in the US. Maybe the CSU (without CDU). Also. the "Energiewende" was a coup from Merkel to shut up the SPD and especially the green party (Grüne/Bündnis 90) after Fukushima. Without it, they wouldn't win the next elections, as weird as this may sound. Look at the approval rate of the green party. Ridiculous."

Raising the cost of energy for citizens and damaging the competitiveness of German industry, and you think that was a political coup? That in a nutshell is why the AFD is gaining traction!

"Gerhard Schroeder didn't do anything, his party did...in a big coalition with the CDU/CSU."

Schroeder was the Chancellor he gets the credit, he provided the leadership. The unions would never had gone along with the changes had a CDU chancellor introduced them.

You think the AFD is promoting fear and misinformation, I think it's more like reality!

This is going to be a very exciting election.

"No, CDU/CSU is closer to US democrats. No party in Germany is as conservative as the Republicans in the US. Maybe the CSU (without CDU)

Your apparently get your knowledge of US politics from German media. They think the Republicans are a bunch of knuckle dragging neanderthals, but if that was the case why do they nominate Romney? He was far from being a conservative!

Yes the right wing elements make the headlines, but the center, old GOP establishment wields the power and more importantly the money. I think the CDU/CSU is like the US Republicans, a milder version of the same thing if you will, but the SPD is definitely like the US Democrats, always battling to constrain their left wing true believers.

Do Republicans want to have a social security system which pays for almost everything and everybody? Hartz IV...Erziehungsjahr...and so on. Also, the current health care system has been actually designed by Horst Seehofer (CSU...the most conservative party of all if you leave away the Nazis), very similar to what Obama is planning and Seehofer even did much worse. I could continue but I WISH the CDU/CSU would be as conservative as the Republicans in the US.

You apparently get your knowledge of German politics from US media. 

RC (Germany) - Rennteam Editor Porsche 991 Turbo S (Sept. 2013), Cayenne GTS (958), BMW X3 35d (2013)

Well said :-)

Personally I'm in a big trouble where to check the boxes at the ballot paper. In the past I often choose the FDP or CSU (I'm living in Bavaria) alternatively. So my wife and I are undecided what to do. One of the strategic options seems to be to support the FDP anyway to avoid Rot/Rot/Grun. But that leaves a very bad feeling because the FDP wouldn't be the party we would have selected without any strategic considerations.

--

Conny997:

Well said :-)

Personally I'm in a big trouble where to check the boxes at the ballot paper. In the past I often choose the FDP or CSU (I'm living in Bavaria) alternatively. So my wife and I are undecided what to do. One of the strategic options seems to be to support the FDP anyway to avoid Rot/Rot/Grun. But that leaves a very bad feeling because the FDP wouldn't be the party we would have selected without any strategic considerations.

--

Kind regards, Conny 
 

fritz

Congrats to Angela Merkel, but what a disaster for the FDP. Can't believe it....

Conny997:

Congrats to Angela Merkel, but what a disaster for the FDP. Can't believe it....

Absolutely agree.

Regarding the FDP disaster, it's their very own fault: they didn't fulfil one of their last election promises, they will always be remembered for their awkward pork-barrel politics (re hotel business taxes), they showed very disgraceful handling with their top-ranking politicans, they thought temporarily that this veteran party can be represented by a bunch of prepubescent boys only and they engaged their ancient battle axe too late to make a change.

To name a few.

And last but not least they suffered a lot from the new AfD party.

The secret of life is to admire without desiring.

No need now for a coalition... will this be a good thing for Germany?

"Things turn out best for people who make the best of the way things turn out."

John H:

No need now for a coalition... will this be a good thing for Germany?

I think it won't be suffice for an absolute majority.

The secret of life is to admire without desiring.

Now it happened what I said it would happen: The FDP didn't have enough votes ("clever" job, CDU and Merkel...they recommended NOT to give the "second vote" to the FDP) because the AfD (Alternative für Deutschland) took some percentiles away from them, enough to remove them from the Bundestag. Stupid, stupid, stupid...

Now a big coalition is very likely and I think we all know how this is going to end. I actually prefer a coalition with the green party over one with the SPD because it would seriously affect my business (Rossi...Lauterbach...you know what I mean).

The worst case scenario would be a SPD/DIE LINKE/Bündnis90-Grüne coalition, they would have enough votes for that, it would be a complete disaster for Germany.

RC (Germany) - Rennteam Editor Porsche 991 Turbo S (Oct. 5th 2013), Cayenne GTS (958), BMW X3 35d (2013)

The worst case scenario with SPD/DIE LINKE/Bündnis90-Grüne is already there. Whenever the SPD want to drive a law they can do it with the votes from the left party's. This is completely independent from the question wether they are in a big coalition or not. That's horrible. My worst dreams come true. 

Conny997:

The worst case scenario with SPD/DIE LINKE/Bündnis90-Grüne is already there. Whenever the SPD want to drive a law they can do it with the votes from the left party's. This is completely independent from the question wether they are in a big coalition or not. That's horrible. My worst dreams come true. 

Yes, indeed but not if the SPD goes into a big coalition with the CDU. 

However, a big coalition will require lots of compromises again, which will hurt us a lot, I am pretty sure about this.

Stupid FDP and even more stupid AfD (they are actually the reason the FDP didn't pass 5%).

RC (Germany) - Rennteam Editor Porsche 991 Turbo S (Oct. 5th 2013), Cayenne GTS (958), BMW X3 35d (2013)

RC:

Conny997:

The worst case scenario with SPD/DIE LINKE/Bündnis90-Grüne is already there. Whenever the SPD want to drive a law they can do it with the votes from the left party's. This is completely independent from the question wether they are in a big coalition or not. That's horrible. My worst dreams come true. 

Yes, indeed but not if the SPD goes into a big coalition with the CDU. 

However, a big coalition will require lots of compromises again, which will hurt us a lot, I am pretty sure about this.

Stupid FDP and even more stupid AfD (they are actually the reason the FDP didn't pass 5%).

They don't need to wait for a coalition. In the meantime the left parties can do what they want in case they will find a common sense.

Thats what I'm talking about: 

http://www.n-tv.de/politik/Linke-locken-SPD-und-Gruene-article11434551.html

(German)