The conservative nature of the German electorate was clearly expressed in last weekend’s election results. The centrist parties divided 77% of the votes equally and Chancellor Schroeder’s victory was decided by moderates, slightly left and right of center. The more extreme parties of both Left and Right virtually fell by the wayside.
Gerhard Schroeder’s coalition of SPD (38.5%) and Groen (8.6 %) will remain in power and Edmund Stoiber’s Christian Democrat challenge (CDU 29.5% and CSU 9.0% plus the most likely coalition partner FPD 7.4 %) will continue to haunt him. Since German Government has a two-tier system, Chancellor Schroeder will still have to deal with the Bundesrat ( the “Senate-like” representation of the “Lender” – German provinces) which has a CDU majority. This election was for the Bundestag (Parliament).
Gerhard Schroeder’s coalition of SPD (38.5%) and Groen (8.6 %) will remain in power and Edmund Stoiber’s Christian Democrat challenge (CDU 29.5% and CSU 9.0% plus the most likely coalition partner FPD 7.4 %) will continue to haunt him. Since German Government has a two-tier system, Chancellor Schroeder will still have to deal with the Bundesrat ( the “Senate-like” representation of the “Lender” – German provinces) which has a CDU majority. This election was for the Bundestag (Parliament).
Although much of the Anglo-American media has emphasised Chancellor Schroeder’s opposition to a renewed war against Iraq, domestic economic issues – mainly high unemployment of nearly 10% - were more important.
Schroeder has so far failed to improve the German economy after the problems left behind by 18 years of CDU “rule” by former Chancellor Kohl and Reunification, but the electorate has shown itself willing to allow him one more chance – thanks to the Greens.
Schroeder has so far failed to improve the German economy after the problems left behind by 18 years of CDU “rule” by former Chancellor Kohl and Reunification, but the electorate has shown itself willing to allow him one more chance – thanks to the Greens.