...from prior election and be insignificant and interestingly enough, the "Linke" (the Left) will gain more votes from people who are disgusted with the SPD and refuse to vote for Merkel.
Merkel will win. There are good things and bad things about this. I have a different perspective than most because I was raised in Germany (Bavaria) and have family throughout Germany, including in Niedersachsen and Hamburg region. I hear all the conversations amongst my German family, friends and community. People who were lifelong voters of the CSU (Bavaria's party with CDU) can't stand Merkel and hold their nose for her. Many people of all parties can't stand Merkel, but don't see an alternative and had hoped for a long time that the coalition of "Rot-Rot-Grun" with a strong SPD leader would finally take the lead. Then the SPD chose Martin Schultz. And it was over. Merkel was set to win.
Ironically compared to the United States, staying home and not voting is not an option. Germans come out in droves (its also mandated by law) and vote on a Sunday. The results will start pouring in soon. (Yes, counted from paper ballots). And like I said above, Merkel will win. But I think there may be some surprising results for the German Bundestag (their parliament). I know dozens of people who were loyal SPD who can't pull themselves to vote for Martin Schultz and feel that the CDU/CSU and SPD are all the same and are voting "Linke" today for first time in their lives. I know members of the CSU who are voting for other parties and not the CSU.
Its going to be interesting. But Merkel will win. But I predict a very different than expected result in the Bundestag which will result in interesting coalitions if Merkel wants to get things done and she will have a different next term.
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