German government in doubt after shock SPD vote
Source: Politico
BERLIN — German politics were thrust into disarray late Saturday after a surprise decision by the Social Democrats (SPD) to elect a leadership duo that has expressed deep reservations over the party’s participation in Angela Merkel's government.
SPD members elected Norbert Walter-Borjans, a former regional minister from North Rhine-Westphalia and Saskia Esken, a little known MP from Baden-Württemberg, to take over the beleaguered party, which has been under interim management for six months.
The vote casts doubt on the viability of the so-called "grand coalition" with Merkel's Christian Democrats, which has already come under severe strain amid deep divisions on issues such as taxes, welfare spending and defense, to name but a few.
Walter-Borjans, who campaigned on a promise to demand major spending concessions from the Christian Democrats, said the new leadership’s first priority would be “to define a clear position vis-à-vis our coalition partner.”
Read more: https://www.politico.eu/article/german-spd-elects-leaders-skeptical-of-merkel-coalition/
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And I thought we were complicated...
No offense, but that's just like their cars. When they're running well, they're a wonder to behold, except when they're not running well, which is often.
