German Federal Election 23rd February 2025

[Norgy]

A Grand Coalition is bound to play into the anti-"establishment" bluster of the AfD.

The Progress Party, although not very far right, was brought into government here in 2013 and it was a bit comical.

[Maladict]

Minority government?

[Valmy]

Minority government?

BSW hasn't made it yet.

[Josquius]

You cannot see attachments on this board.

[Zanza]

The Left has a social media savvy party leader who is 'only' 36 years old. Apparently she made the difference.

[crazy canuck]

You know you're living in odd times when you feel it comforting to hear a new German leader say that his first priority is to strengthen the military, but here we are.

[Tonitrus]

Stronger military is nice...stealing out thunder and taking up the "arsenal of democracy" would be good too.

Scribes allowed...

[Valmy]

Looks like the SPD and CDU/CSU combine for enough to form a government.

Trump congratulated the CDU/CSU as if they are a party aligned with him...

[Valmy]

Remember when the Soviets used to attack the Western Allies for failing to de-Nazify their zone? Well...

Everywhere outside of West Germany and West Berlin seems pretty Nazi

[Tonitrus]

More interesting (I know, not really news to us here) is how it matches up with household income; in the old West, depressed income seems to bring those to the left...in the old East...to the right.



And perhaps "Nazi" is not fair, especially considering AfD's affinity towards Putin.  Kind of an authoritarian-Communist frankenstein.

[Valmy]

And perhaps "Nazi" is not fair, especially considering AfD's affinity towards Putin.  Kind of an authoritarian-Communist frankenstein.

Even if they are not Nazis they have said things that suggest they are fans.

I did find it rather chilling that Thuringia was the first state they took power in, the exact place the Nazis first were elected to power.

What the hell is going on in Thuringia?

[Zoupa]

russia in 2025 resembles Nazi Germany much more than it does the Soviet Union. The AfD is clearly fascist and loves their nazi dog whistles.

[Zanza]

What Zoupa said.

And their economic policy is more Milei or Musk, i.e. unfettered capitalism without a social state. So not communist.

[Zanza]

The BSW missing out by 0.03% might be a saving grace.

At least now a CDU+SPD coalition is feasible. But Merz does not seem to understand that he has to compromise his positions if he wants to convince the SPD, especially after their worst ever result. Not sure if he is capable of that.

[Valmy]

What choice does he have though? There is no other feasible option.