Strong and Stable - Congratulations to Angela Merkel on a 4th term

Herr Tubthumper said:

Interesting. I feel that most partnerships and agreements are stronger and more stable when you have talked through your differences. All the parties have been in discussion and through reason, consideration, patience and thought they’ve settled on this. They have also delivered what the electorate wanted as they are the two biggest parties after all. My only criticism is the SDP’s fit of pique in initially not wanting to govern.

5.5/10 [MENTION=33253]JC Footy Genius[/MENTION]?

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Herr Tubthumper said:

It’s always good to talk

Strong and stable

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-42660761

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larus said:

Wow, a whole 32.5% of the vote. Leader of a coalition. Note the 13.5% for AfD too. Not all so rosy in the motherland behind the headlines

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Herr Tubthumper said:

It looks likely that the same government which ran the show for the past 4 years are back. The past 4 years were fine, I don’t see continued growth, booming economy, enlightened foreign policy, proliferation of craft breweries and the World Cup as being too bad. I’d settle for half of this over the next term.

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maltaseagull said:

Surprise surprise.

But actually according to the BBC:
These were just exploratory talks, aimed at establishing whether there's a basis upon which a coalition can be formally negotiated. Before the next round of talks can go ahead, the SPD must give the go-ahead at a special party conference.

Bear in mind that many in the SPD - which had originally refused to work with Mrs Merkel again - blame her for their disastrous election result, and are still uncomfortable about another four years in her shadow.

Even if they approve the negotiations, any coalition treaty will be put to the SPD's 400,000 members in a postal ballot. Mrs Merkel is not out of the woods yet.

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larus said:

Exactly. Any idiot who assumes this is a done deal is deluded. There’s not a lot of love for Merkel from the SPD membership and this is far from being sorted. It may happen, but she’s weakened, and if this fails, she’s toast.

Strong and Stable - yeah, right. As strong and stable as the English tail vs the Aussies pace attack.

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cunning fergus said:

Merkel is effectively toast, and politically Germany is looking at a period of instability............happy days are here again!

https://www.thelocal.de/20180112/whats-next-after-merkels-coalition-breakthrough

All together now..........we’re going to hang out our washing on the Siegfried line, etc.

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maltaseagull said:

Surprise surprise.

But actually according to the BBC:
These were just exploratory talks, aimed at establishing whether there's a basis upon which a coalition can be formally negotiated. Before the next round of talks can go ahead, the SPD must give the go-ahead at a special party conference.

Bear in mind that many in the SPD - which had originally refused to work with Mrs Merkel again - blame her for their disastrous election result, and are still uncomfortable about another four years in her shadow.

Even if they approve the negotiations, any coalition treaty will be put to the SPD's 400,000 members in a postal ballot. Mrs Merkel is not out of the woods yet.

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cunning fergus said:

Merkel is effectively toast, and politically Germany is looking at a period of instability............happy days are here again!

https://www.thelocal.de/20180112/whats-next-after-merkels-coalition-breakthrough

All together now..........we’re going to hang out our washing on the Siegfried line, etc.

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BrianWade4 said:

As an aside, the real fun will be the Italian elections
The party leading in the polls - and the one that’s third that they could form a coalition with - both want to scrap the Euro
Will make Brexit seem like a tea party...

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larus said:

I read the other day that 5 Star are winding back their position in leaving the Euro. I agree that the other party (can’t think of their name) are anti the Euro.

Once they lose the UKs net contributions, this wil have an impact on the EU budget. Germany won’t want to stump up even more, but the recipient nations will want their freebies from the club. And that doesn’t address the issue of the Target 2 liabilities being built up by Germany via the ECB. All is far from rosy in the EU garden.

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BrianWade4 said:

Actually we should want Merkel to stay
Whether you agree with Brexit or not, she’s a friend in the EU and not looking to punish us in negotiations
Her potential coalition partners want to punish us however...

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larus said:

Oh dear. Not going quite according to plan for Frau Merkel. But, I’m sure this is what “Strong And Stable” is all about. Can you imagine the piss-taking from a certain chaap with German connections if this was the Trories trying to form a government.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/01/14/fresh-doubts-german-coalition-amid-fears-spd-rebellion/

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Herr Tubthumper said:

Constructive and objective political comment are the words you were looking for.

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JC Footy Genius said:

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Herr Tubthumper said:

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