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| Europe |
| German FM to run for chancellor |
| 2008-09-08 |
| Germany's Social Democrats (SPD) choose Frank-Walter Steinmeier to run against Chancellor Angela Merkel in next year's federal election. |
| Posted by:Fred |
| #7 The old definitions of left and right do no longer work. |
| Posted by: European Conservative 2008-09-08 18:10 |
| #6 But he was not a leftist? Just a croney capitalist? |
| Posted by: Nimble Spemble 2008-09-08 18:00 |
| #5 Most likely |
| Posted by: European Conservative 2008-09-08 16:48 |
| #4 contrary to US beliefs Schröder was NOT a leftist when in office OK. But was he on |
| Posted by: Nimble Spemble 2008-09-08 16:41 |
| #3 He's a die hard Schröderite (contrary to US beliefs Schröder was NOT a leftist when in office). Steinmeier is not liked by the SPD left and with him a coalition with the radical left (ex-Commies) is not likely. That sounds like a good thing. But what will happen is that the radical left will take the votes of the disgruntled SPD leftists and grow. That means the SPD will shrink. If they get 25% they should consider themselves lucky. Not enough to form anything like a new Grand Coalition, because the larger Commies will block anything else. The thing is, that it may not work. Either CDU/CSU and FDP will strengthen enough to build a coalition on their own and the SPD is f**** Or the Greens jump ship. Steinmeier may be hoping for a SPD/Green/FDP coalition (Spd and Green only will never get a majority) but that won't work. The FDP has no suicide wishes. |
| Posted by: European Conservative 2008-09-08 16:28 |
| #2 Can you elaborate for us, EC? Then perhaps I can go on German MTV and harrangue the electorate from a Yank perspective. |
| Posted by: Seafarious 2008-09-08 15:54 |
| #1 Running yes but not going anywhere |
| Posted by: European Conservative 2008-09-08 15:31 |