Politics German Politics & News

[guest0001]

This one will be impossible to call IMHO.

 

[muck]

Well, it'll be extremely difficult to call, that's for sure. But some things are already certain, I'm afraid. First, one had best not expect to see a lot of movement in the ratings from here on out. All that could happen will be largely contained to the same side of the aisle. Secondly, the Greens are going to reign over the next administration no matter their vote tally. They'll be the kingmakers, and they'll dicate the king's policies. They could bring both Scholz and Laschet to heel at almost every turn by threatening to dispose the one and ally with the other.

And then it seems to me Laschet is just done at this point. It's not even a purely political issue anymore. German public opinion has a way of swaying irrevocably against household names every now and again – people, organisations, even once-popular TV shows. Ever since Laschet allowed himself to be filmed jesting with his aides during a visit to the devastated Ahr Valley, the man has become pure poison and most people want him gone. He could come up with a cure for cancer tomorrow and they'd still find something to crucify him for.

Laschet looks destined to fail since everyone says he is, so the votes he's lost over summer are virtually irrecoverable. (And even in his own camp many don't want him to win.) But if he somehow ends up becoming Chancellor regardless through clever negotiating (or, more likely, by bending over for the Greens to have their way with him), his administration would always be one vote away from implosion. Not only would he be firmly stuck under the Greens' thumb; in the light of recent events, he'd bear the stigma of being an undeserving winner carried across the finishing line by others.

 

[guest0001]

The increase in voting abstention is extremely dangerous. All over Europe pople are getting fed up with the political class, which I can perfectly understand, the PC feckers are getting stronger by the day, they totally dominate the public space and the result might very well be a resurrection of the political fringes.

 

[Redav]

The increase in voting abstention is extremely dangerous. All over Europe pople are getting fed up with the political class, which I can perfectly understand, the PC feckers are getting stronger by the day, they totally dominate the public space and the result might very well be a resurrection of the political fringes.

Extremism is all over the place, good sense disappeared , but we have the current medíocre politicians to blame for and foremost.

 

[guest0001]

It’s a toxic dynamism, left-leaning press are dominating the public discourse and it seems to be impossible to have a discussion with opposing views without the NAZI card gets thrown around. IMHO the Maassen “affair” is the best, or rather the worst, example.

 

[Deleted member 11302]

All the other options would depend on the Blacks' willingness to eat humble pie.

@all By "Blacks" he means the CDU, Germany's Christian-Democrats.

Jesus Christ, muck! Trying to get us into hot water here, or what!?

 

[Redav]

@all By "Blacks" he means the CDU, Germany's Christian-Democrats.

Jesus Christ, muck! Trying to get us into hot water here, or what!?

FYI, in Portugal "CDU" is the coalition led by the Communist Party

 

[muck]

The increase in voting abstention is extremely dangerous. All over Europe pople are getting fed up with the political class, which I can perfectly understand, the PC feckers are getting stronger by the day, they totally dominate the public space and the result might very well be a resurrection of the political fringes.

I agree. Having said that, I wouldn't be so rash to completely exonerate the populace. Hedonism and egoism are the mantras of our age. Many people care exclusively about their own sensitivities, so it can't be a surprise to us they're not interested in what happens to the rest of the country.

Then, there's social media and the 24-hour news cycle. I'd say they are what lies at the heart of the crisis of Western democracies, truth be told. Every village idiot is made to feel well and truly informed on all things, so naturally they think they know how the nation should be run.

And since the government usually doesn't pay attention to the opinion of every village idiot, more and more folks feel betrayed and patronised. I mean, I get it, I've felt ignored by my government before (I do see the irony). But that's no argument against a representative democracy.

That we have the knowledge of the world at our fingertips doesn't mean there shouldn't be a middleman to make sense of our demands (or shoot down the more unreasonable ones). The powers that be aren't always wrong to treat the average voter as an infantile goof is what I'm saying.

The left has a way of underestimating the average Joe's intellectual faculties, but we on the right have come to overestimate them.

 

[guest0001]

I totally agree Muck, the politicians are a product of our society.

 

[muck]

Indeed.

 

[muck]

I'll use this thread to post the news as they come. In early September, the official political compass ("Wahl-o-mat") for the elections will become accessible. Some of the questions are obviously very specific ("Should we build an airport in Bumfuck, Saxony?"), but should you people be interested in knowing for whom you'd like to vote if you were residents of this whirlwind of insanity which we call Germany, react to this post with a fist bump to let me know you'd care for a translation of those approximately 40 questions.

Well, well, the "Wahl-o-mat" ('election-o-meter') is finally here. Unfortunately, the Federal Agency for Civic Education couldn't be arsed to release an offline app, so I can't grace you with the experience of a seamless translation. Those of you still interested will have to click themselves through the app and compare it with my translation. Luckily, the app is rather simple and (mostly) self-explanatory.

Where a question seemed to require context, I added explanatory remarks instead of a verbatim translation. Speaking of being subjective, it's interesting to me how two subjects barely appear amongst the questions: anti-pandemic policies and immigration. The curious bit is that questions were picked on the basis of overlap, i.e. the more parties had something to say on a subject, the more likely it was chosen by the authors.

For convenience I'll only focus on the six parties with a chance to win seats in parliament and form a government, and disregard the mind-boggling 40 parties running for election this year. By the way, please bear in mind all the result shows is how often you've agreed with any given party's programme. The questionnaire doesn't factor in when an answer of yours should logically exclude them as a viable option for you.

(For example, I had the biggest overlap with AfD even though I responded 'I disagree' to their principal demand of leaving the EU.)

(Link)

1.

2. Make sure to keep track of each question's number.

3. Emphasise as many questions as you want to make them count double for the results.

4. Only the upper row of icons denotes parties currently in parliament, i.e. CDU/CSU, SPD, AfD, FDP, The Left and Greens.

5.
(Results)​

Questions

1/38
Autobahn speed limit
There should be a general speed limit on the Autobahn.

2/38
Higher defence budget
Germany should spend more on defence.

3/38
Lower voting age
Sixteen-year-olds should receive a right to vote in federal elections.

4/38
No more wind power subsidies
The state should stop subsidising electricity generated by wind turbines.

5/38
Rent freeze
There should be more restrictions on how much a landlords can raise the rent.

6/38
Vaccine patent protection
Vaccines against Covid-19 should not be made exempt from patent protection.

7/38
Earlier coal power phase-out
Germany should phase out her coal-fired power plants sooner than planned (2038).

8/38
Statutory pension insurance
Everyone working (i.e. also public servants and the self-employed) should have to enroll in the public pension insurance scheme.

9/38
No more family reunions for refugees
The right of recognised refugees to bring their families to Germany should be abolished.

10/38
Digital tax
There should be a tax on digital services rendered inside Germany.

11/38
Privileging traditional families
The traditional family (father, mother, children) should be promoted and sponsored over other family models.

12/38
Legality of party donations from corporations
Private corporations should not be banned from donating to political parties.

13/38
Student benefits regardless of income
University students should receive public benefits regardless of their parents' height of income.

14/38
No more restrictions on dual citizenship
Germany should naturalise immigrants without expecting them to give up their previous citizenship.

15/38
Gender-appopriate speech by the state
Government agencies should have to use gender-appropriate speech rather than generic masculine forms.

16/38
Nord Stream 2
The Russian-German gas pipeline "Nord Stream 2" should be allowed to commence operations as planned.

17/38
No more solidarity surcharge
The "solidarity surcharge" on income tax—once introduced to finance Germany's reunfication—should be abolished without substitution.

18/38
Headscarf for Muslim public servants
Female muslims employed by the state should be allowed to wear a headscarf while on duty.

19/38
No combustion engine ban
The government should not consider a ban on new motor vehicles with combustion engines.

20/38
More federal say on education policies
The federal government should be given greater authority over the education policies of the individual German states.

21/38
Public funding against anti-Semitism
The federal government should give more funding to organisations dedicated to the fight against anti-Semitism.

22/38
No chinese companies & 5G
Chinese companies should be excluded from public contracts to expand Germany's communications infrastructure.

23/38
Church tax
The state should continue to help the Churches to collect taxes from their members.

24/38
Legalising the sale of Cannabis
The selling of Cannabis, albeit regulated, should become legal.

25/38
"Dexit"
Germany should leave the European Union.

26/38
Political gender parity
Political parties should have to nominate candidates for parliament in such a way men and women appear alternately on their lists of nominees.

27/38
Hospitalisation flat-rate payment
Hospitals should continue to receive flat-rate payments for hospitalised patients (instead of a time-dependent nursing charge).

28/38
Wealth tax
Germany should reintroduce a property tax for the very wealthy.

29/38
Face-recognition software
The state should be allowed to utilise face-recognition software for public video surveillance.

30/38
Tax benefits also for childless couples
Married couples should remain eligible for tax benefits even if they are childless.

31/38
Agricultural subsidies primarily for green farming
Green farming should be subsidised more than industrial farming.

32/38
Recognition of Islamic organisations
Islamic organisations should be eligible for the status of an officially recognised religious community.

33/38
Carbon price raise
The fixed CO₂ price for emissions in heating and transportation should be raised more than already planned.

34/38
"Debt brake"
The balanced budget clause should not be struck from the constitution.

35/38
Refugee status only if persecuted
The status of a recognised refugee should remain reserved for victims of political persecution.

36/38
Minimum wage raise
The minimum wage (of currently €9.60) should be raised to €12.00 in 2022.

37/38
Air travel taxation
Higher taxes need to be imposed on air travel.

38/38
No "right to home office"
Employers should decide for themselves whether or not their employees may work from home.

Since it's kinda awkward to jump between tabs, here's a quick overview for the impatient:

✔ = party agrees 'agree'
✘ = party disagrees answered 'disagree'
? = party remains neutral

#​	Question​	CDU/CSU​	SPD​	AfD​	FDP​	Left​	Greens​
1​	Autobahn speed limit	✘​	✔​	✘​	✘​	✔​	✔​
2​	Higher defence budget	✔​	✔​	✔​	✔​	✘​	✘​
3​	Lower voting age	✘​	✔​	✘​	✔​	✔​	✔​
4​	No more wind power subsidies	✘​	✘​	✔​	?​	✘​	✘​
5​	Rent freeze	?​	✔​	✘​	✘​	✔​	✔​
6​	Vaccine patent protection	✔​	✔​	✔​	✔​	✘​	✘​
7​	Earlier coal power phase-out	✘​	✔​	✘​	?​	✔​	✔​
8​	Statutory pension insurance	✘​	✔​	✔​	✘​	✔​	✔​
9​	No more family reunions for refugees	✘​	✘​	✔​	?​	✘​	✘​
10​	Digital tax	?​	✔​	✔​	✘​	✔​	✔​
11​	Privileging traditional families	✘​	✘​	✔​	✘​	✘​	✘​
12​	Legality of party donations from corporations	✔​	✔​	✔​	✔​	✘​	✘​
13​	Student benefits regardless of income	✘​	✘​	✘​	✔​	✔​	✔​
14​	No more restrictions on dual citizenship	✘​	✔​	✘​	?​	✔​	✔​
15​	Gender-appopriate speech by the state	?​	✔​	✘​	?​	✔​	✔​
16​	Nord Stream 2	✔​	✔​	✔​	?​	?​	✘​
17​	No more solidarity surcharge	✔​	✘​	✔​	✔​	✘​	✘​
18​	Headscarf for Muslim public servants	✘​	✘​	✘​	?​	✔​	✔​
19​	No combustion engine ban	✔​	✘​	✔​	✔​	✘​	✘​
20​	More federal say on education policies	✘​	✔​	✘​	✔​	✔​	✔​
21​	Public funding against anti-Semitism	✔​	✔​	✔​	✔​	✔​	✔​
22​	No Chinese companies & 5G	?​	✘​	✔​	✔​	✘​	✔​
23​	Church tax	✔​	✔​	?​	✔​	✘​	✔​
24​	Legalising the sale of Cannabis	✘​	✔​	✘​	✔​	✔​	✔​
25​	"Dexit"	✘​	✘​	✔​	✘​	✘​	✘​
26​	Political gender parity	?​	✔​	✘​	✘​	✔​	✔​
27​	Hospitalisation flat-rate payment	✔​	✘​	✘​	✔​	✘​	✔​
28​	Wealth tax	✘​	✔​	✘​	✘​	✔​	✔​
29​	Face-recognition software	✔​	✘​	?​	✘​	✘​	✘​
30​	Tax benefits also for childless couples	✔​	✔​	✔​	✔​	✘​	?​
31​	Agricultural subsidies primarily for green farming	?​	✔​	✘​	✘​	✔​	✔​
32​	Recognition of Islamic organisations	?​	✔​	✘​	✔​	✔​	✔​
33​	Carbon price raise	?​	✘​	✘​	?​	?​	✔​
34​	"Debt brake"	✔​	✔​	✔​	✔​	✘​	?​
35​	Refugee status only if persecuted	✔​	✔​	✔​	✔​	✘​	✘​
36​	Minimum wage raise	?​	✔​	✘​	✘​	✔​	✔​
37​	Air travel taxation	✘​	✔​	✘​	✘​	✔​	✔​
38​	No "right to home office"	✔​	✘​	✔​	?​	✘​	✘​

​

More than anything, what this list shows is how scared all parties—but CDU/CSU in particular!—have become of saying "No!" and standing their ground. For instance, CDU/CSU's 'neutral' response to gender parity on candidate lists is justified as follows: "This idea is unconstitutional, as several courts have ruled in the past […]. However, we do aim to achieve a better representation of females in our party."

Kind of reminds of a Monty Python-sketch…

 

[Fluff]

@all By "Blacks" he means the CDU, Germany's Christian-Democrats.

Jesus Christ, muck! Trying to get us into hot water here, or what!?

Bit late now! there's no [cancel Hitsquad] button on the BLM website!

 

[Ivan le Fou]

It's going to feel weird not to have Mutti around anymore.

I almost have the impression she has been there forever.

 

[BCNTM]

I totally agree Muck, the politicians are a product of our society.

I always though they were the product of a horse and a donkey breeding - so you learn something every day

 

[muck]

I always though they were the product of a horse and a donkey breeding - so you learn something every day

No reason to disparage the world's population of mules, they're way more useful than many politicians…

Jokes aside though, here's a question for you; remember when a while back your government asked the public to propose a name for a new research ship? The highest-scoring suggestion in that vote was 'Boaty McBoatface' or some such nonsense. Obviously, Her Majesty's Government said Thanks, but no thanks! to that and named the vessel for David Attenborough instead. Did the government disrespect democracy in doing so?

 

[morris]

Since it's kinda awkward to jump between tabs, here's a quick overview for the impatient:

This is an excellent work, muck, makes it easier to see who is what.

The first noticeable thing is how little difference there is between the Greens and the Left.

 

[Redav]

An INSA poll for mass-selling daily Bild published on Monday showed the SPD extending its lead with 26% support, ahead of the conservatives on 20.5% and the Greens on 15.5%. The business-friendly Free Democrats were on 12.5% and the Linke on 6.5%.

German far left courts SPD and Greens for three-way coalition

Germany's far-left Linke pitched themselves on Monday as would-be coalition partners for the Social Democrats and Greens after a Sept. 26 election, arguing they offer the two larger parties the best chance of delivering their social policies.

www.reuters.com

 

[muck]

The first pollster has CDU/CSU under 20%, a history low for these two parties. Meanwhile, Christian Lindner of the FDP has suggested his party's willingness to discuss a coalition with the SPD and Greens ("Traffic Lights"). I'd suspect they'll entertain that option in spite of their campaign pledge so as to style themselves as saviours of sorts, like they have to do enter into a coalition to prevent an even sharper swing to the left.

The first noticeable thing is how little difference there is between the Greens and the Left.

Which always astounds me given the vastly different demographics comprising their respective constituents. The average Greenie is German, young, female, has a college degree and above-average income; the average Leftie is either an immigrant (Kurds are vastly overpresented for some reason) or East German, older and fits the bill of a stereotypical socialist with more simple means and humble origins.

 

[guest0001]

If the CDU/CSU won't be able to turn the tables I can see a "Röhm Putsch V2.0" coming, complete with "Nacht der langen Messer" and all ..... no telling what will happen to Adenauer's and Kohl's grandkids!

 

[muck]

Perhaps.

If you'll remember, Armin Laschet – a disciple of Merkel – had beat the conservative and (and base favourite) Friedrich Merz in the race for the party chair last year. Merz then faltered and supported Laschet against the latter's rival Markus Söder, whose bid for Chancellorship was more popular than Laschet's own. In retrospect, that u-turn strikes me as way less relevant than I thought at the time.

The party bigwigs were never going to nominate Söder anyway. They're Merkellians, products of her system. Merz's name could give them some clout these days, but he is doing nothing to support Laschet. I'm beginning to think the conservatives, knowing Laschet wasn't going to win anyway, have stepped back to let the Merkel era go down in flames. It's the only way to get rid of the Merkellians, really.