German Federal Election 2021 - Who will succeed Angela Merkel?

[Duque de Bragança]

So far, the Liberals say they do not want the "traffic light" of Social Democrats, Greens and Liberals. So even if the SPD would really win, it is not clear they could form a viable coalition. On the other hands the Greens flirted with a coalition with the Conservatives for a while, so "Jamaica" right now looks more likely. That said, the price of Jamaica could well be that it is not Laschet leading it, but Söder ("Shrek" in this poll).

Söder?! 

Bavaria Franconia wins! 

[Sheilbh]

So far, the Liberals say they do not want the "traffic light" of Social Democrats, Greens and Liberals. So even if the SPD would really win, it is not clear they could form a viable coalition. On the other hands the Greens flirted with a coalition with the Conservatives for a while, so "Jamaica" right now looks more likely. That said, the price of Jamaica could well be that it is not Laschet leading it, but Söder ("Shrek" in this poll).

Yeah - I've been wondering about that. Has there been any buyer's remorse in the CDU? From the outside Soder looked like a better candidate (this may be because my take from a distance was that Laschet had all of the worst features of Merkel's time in office, but more ).

Also interesting that the polling on preferred coalition seems to basically follow the preferred Chancellor polling - so the various SPD led options appear to be more popular than the Jamaica coalition which is not well liked at all.

[Syt]

Laschet tries to deliver soundbites about future, technology etc.

However, I can't forget this picture of him last year with candidates in local elections in his state of North-Rhine-Westphalia. I feel it captures the vibe he represents for his party.

[The Larch]

Is that the CDU version of the Stepford Wives?

[Duque de Bragança]

What the ...

I guess Neukölln is one the most left constituencies in Germany, so I guess you can just try whatever.

Nice try at an inclusive and (secular?) nationalism. Why should Turkish Al-Quran bashers vote always for left-wing parties with which the only thing they have in common is their pro mass-immigration policies? 

PS: slip removed as pointed out, though I think most readers understood.

[Sheilbh]

It's happening!

[Zanza]

Let's see. The Conservatives have a significant base that votes for them no matter what.

[Maladict]

It's happening!

Don't taint it 

[Sheilbh]

More generally, I am fascinated by the Green and *checks notes* FDP radicalisation of younger voters


The Greens I understand - that's a European trend. The FDP tho.....?

[Habbaku]

Embrace your neo-paleo-liberal future.

[Tonitrus]

Perhaps a good example of this growing trend of extreme political polarization?  The younger folks starting to eschew the more fuzzy, "middle ground" parties for the purer article?

[Josquius]

Are they doing that on the left though?
The greens and social Democrats are pretty moderate no?

It does seem that going away from the generic main view is to be expected as democracies that allow for such parties to thrive  mature.

[Maladict]

The Greens I understand - that's a European trend. The FDP tho.....?

I think the trend is young people are abandoning the traditional parties for either Green, Liberal or far-right parties. In Germany's case, not so much the far right at the moment 

[Sheilbh]

Perhaps a good example of this growing trend of extreme political polarization?  The younger folks starting to eschew the more fuzzy, "middle ground" parties for the purer article?

Also the CDU and SPD have been in government together for 12 of the last 16 years.

The Green thing is happening across Europe - the "eco-socialists" in Croatia have overtaken the mainstream left, the Green candidate is the best polling candidate of the "left" in France. The FDP thing is more interesting/weird - I assume part of it is just that they've been in opposition.

[Zanza]

The FDP is not considered a radical party in Germany. Their economic/tax policy is fairly radical for Germany, although hardly as radical as say the GOP in the US or Rishi Sunak etc. in the UK. But most of their other policies, e.g. civil rights, foreign policy, etc. is fairly mainstream.