Leonstein
07-10-2005, 02:45
Well, as most of you are aware, the German elections recently ended in something of a dead lock.
Neither the Green-Red Coalition, with Schröder and Fischer at the helm, nor the Black-Yellow Group with Merkel and Westerwelle managed to get the necessary majority.
So they need to make a coalition. Schröder initially claimed victory, because his loss wasn't as big as initially feared. Merkel claimed victory because her party got the most votes.
Since then Westerwelle has been quiet, it looks like despite getting a healthy chunk of extra votes, they'll stay in opposition.
The Greens are going back to opposition, and Fischer has retreated from the stage - he's a backbencher now.
And SPD and CDU/CSU have to form a grand coalition. The first big result of the coalition talks (who'll actually be chancellor) is awaited in the next few days.
But one perfectly likely option is that Angela Merkel will be chancellor, and Gerhard Schröder Vice-Chancellor and foreign minister.
What are your opinions?
Neither the Green-Red Coalition, with Schröder and Fischer at the helm, nor the Black-Yellow Group with Merkel and Westerwelle managed to get the necessary majority.
So they need to make a coalition. Schröder initially claimed victory, because his loss wasn't as big as initially feared. Merkel claimed victory because her party got the most votes.
Since then Westerwelle has been quiet, it looks like despite getting a healthy chunk of extra votes, they'll stay in opposition.
The Greens are going back to opposition, and Fischer has retreated from the stage - he's a backbencher now.
And SPD and CDU/CSU have to form a grand coalition. The first big result of the coalition talks (who'll actually be chancellor) is awaited in the next few days.
But one perfectly likely option is that Angela Merkel will be chancellor, and Gerhard Schröder Vice-Chancellor and foreign minister.
What are your opinions?