Question for our German DU-er's.

[Aristus]

I read in a report posted on buzzflash that it looks like the Socialist party in Germany is on the way out and the Christian Democrats are gaining power.

What I'd like to know is: what is the ideology of the Christian Dems? Left? Right? Or Center?

Please let me know.

Danke sehr. B-)

[europegirl4jfk]

1. The CDU is a right-wing party

At least for European standard. Maybe not as right-wing as the Republicans in the USA. What makes me afraid is that they didn't really criticize Bush's Iraq war, if I remember right.

I'm afraid but that's all I know. I haven't lived in Germany for more than 15 years now. There are certainly other people here who can tell you more.

[Aristus]

2. Danke, liebe Freunde, or is it:

Merci, mon ami?

[europegirl4jfk]

3. Both languages are fine with me :-)

I was born in Germany but live in France since 15 years. And I'm not happy about the German political situation, I can tell you that. But we have our own problems here in France where we will most probably have a "no" vote on the European Constitution next Sunday. *sigh*

[MissHoneychurch]

4. they didn't criticize the Iraq war at all

if the CDU would have won the election in 2002 Germany would have been part of the Coalition for sure. That is one of the main reasons the CDu lost the last election - thank goodness.

[europegirl4jfk]

5. Are there any chances that they will loose again?

I only hope that a Germany with the CDU in power won't be part of Bush's IRAN war coalition next time :-(

(Übrigens... Grüsse in die alte Heimat! Ich habe früher in Wiesbaden gewohnt.)

[MissHoneychurch]

6. I really don't know

for me it is going to be a very tough decision. CDU and FDP are out of question. SPD and Grüne made their mistakes in the last 7 years but at least they tried to reform.The problem is that most people vote with the stomach. They see that they are doing bad now and link it with the SPD. They forget that the CDU under Kohl did NOTHING at all for the future. They just sat on their fat asses and enjoyed the power. Nothing else. The problems the momentary government is fighting with has big times to do with the Kohl-government. And how will the CDU get new jobs, get money? From where? Do they really think that just because the CDU in power the jobs come flying in?

About Iran. I hope that as long as the US is in the Iraq they don't have the man power to invade the Iran.

Ich richte Wiesbaden und dem Rhein-Main-Gebiet deine Grüße aus :)

[Kellanved]

7. well,

The CDU hasn't won the election yet. We will put up a fight.


As to the CDU/CSU: a mixed bucket. In most regards they are just conservative; in some regards they are very right-wing.
The points where they are utterly unacceptable:
-against Women's choice
-against dealing with the Nazi past
-against homosexual couples
-against immigration
-against free/affordable Higher Education (and against public fellowships)
-against equal school Education
-for nuclear power
-against socialized health care
-...

And well: it is the incompetence. In the past 7 years, they never formulated a single proposal. They have no program whatsoever; just the "conservative is good for the economy" BS broadcast by the media 7/24. Their current leadership is by no means up to the job; they look like a poor choice for a city government, let alone the federal government.
I believe many people have the false idea that the CDU will turn back the clock; a return to the slow-paced Bonn Republic .
But Even Kohl's Bonn Republic was a lie, and I think most people will understand that in time.

The Schröder Government's main problem is poor communication and PR management. It is not like no mistakes were made; but things like the opposition getting two-thirds of the air time in the Federal programs are just ridiculous.

[MissHoneychurch]

8. well put

do you think with Merkel they will have better chances than with Stoiber? As much as I would like a woman as Chancellor - not Merkel.

[tjwmason]

9. InevitabLy the British press are comparing her to Thatcher

WouLd she be that extreme?

[MissHoneychurch]

10. I don't think so

Thatcher was harder and less willinng to compromise

[Kellanved]

11. unlikely

Unlike Thatcher, she is no "Iron lady". She has little own power in her own party. Being a women used to be her only noteworthy quality, but when the Kohl gang's scandals became public knowledge, she was the only one left standing.
Now she is merely the smallest common denominator; tolerated as chairwoman and whip because the CDU can't decide on which of the "big 3" (Koch, Wulff and Rüttgers) would be better.
It was another part of strategy by Schröder: by forcing the opposition's move he is likely to get a very weak contender: Merkel.



Anyway, should she win: she's from the Kohl school of conservatives. I.e. she is more likely to ruin the country by doing nothing than ruining it by thatcherite actions.