On election day, the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD) threw a spanner in the works. They announced that they did not want to resume their “grand coalition” with Angela Merkel’s Christian Democratic Union (CDU), and that they would instead go into the opposition. What happens now?

The CDU don’t have enough seats to govern alone, and even with the help of the liberal Free Democratic Party (FDP) they won’t have a majority. Commentators are discussing the possibility of a “Jamaica” coalition (so-called because of the yellow, black, and green colours of the Jamaican flag) between Merkel’s CDU, the FDP, and the Greens. However, this option will likely prove unpopular with voters (particularly for the two smaller parties), though nobody has ruled it out yet.

Angela Merkel has won the most votes, but her position has clearly weakened. Her party has lost votes, and this has been Merkel’s worst election result so far. Many former CDU supporters had apparently instead given their vote to the FDP or the anti-immigration AfD. Even if Merkel can cobble together a coalition, will she be able to govern effectively?

The third most powerful force in German politics is now the AfD. The tone of German politics is likely to change, potentially becoming more aggressive and radical, and less pragmatic. The lesson from recent coalitions is that going into government with Angela Merkel is a good way to lose voters. Given that the FDP have only just re-entered the Bundstag after spending some time in the wilderness, they are likely to be particularly prickly partners in any coalition talks. Nobody wants to see new elections, but the political situation is clearly much messier.

Have the German election results made the country ungovernable? Is a “Jamaica” coalition of greens, liberals, and Christian democrats the only way forward? Let us know your thoughts and comments in the form below and we’ll take them to policymakers and experts for their reactions!

IMAGE CREDITS: CC / Wikipedia – Times


95 comments Post a commentcomment

What do YOU think?

  1. avatar
    Αναγέννηση

    The Rise of the Far Right in Germany is all due to the lack of a EU Defense Force to create a Fortress Europe to prevent the Turkish State Sponsored flood of illegal immigrants into the European Union, as a result of German mainstream parties to remain military freeloaders on the backs of others, that is being undermined by Turkey and Euro-skeptics now through the Turkish State sponsored flood of illegal immigrants What we require now is for Germany to back efforts to construct a EU Defense Force and for MORE Europe in the Euro-zone creating mutualization of debt with a Economic transfer union so Eurozone can function as a proper currency . When we here notions of Germany being ungovernable its another way of saying German Economic Protectionism has taken hold of the Central Federal Government which is not a good thing for the European Union.

    • avatar
      Ivan Burrows

      Nonsense, the rise of the right is a direct result of Brussels empire building & incompetence, you EU Europeans have learnt nothing from your history and if the EU is not destroyed you are destined to repeat it.

    • avatar
      Peter Zietlow

      Couldn’t be more wrong. The rise of the right has much to do with a decades long antieuropean media bombardement in Western countries, lead by certain investment bankers, with perfect contact in politics. Like your comments on this platform, Ivan.

    • avatar
      SD

      If what you were saying were true then the USA which is a comparable superpower but with it’s own army would be able to keep out illegals. As we all know the USA has about 12 million illegals. In reality the army is not usually used to keep out illegals. The real issue is politics. What we are seeing are 1st the consequences of the illegal wars of Bush Jr and Blair. It is obvious that wars produce refugees. 2nd we have borders. We can close them to these people. We have no obligation to them whatsoever as they are not citizens of our countries. If the borders are not closed to them then there is a political reason why this is not being done and that is a major part of this issue.

      3rd We must understand that politicians are not like normal people. They want to polish their image, look like the humanitarian, the good doer and they know that there is a mostly leftist media that will attack them ferociously if they do anything to stop the exodus of people flowing into Europe. What ads to it is that these migrants are muslims and Europe already has millions of muslims, Germany already had 2 Million muslims BEFORE the mass migration of 2015 where more than1 million muslims migrated to Germany and other European countries as a result of Angela Merkels invitation. So many muslims would be citizens and many would become citizens in the future as a result of these policies. Citizens are voters and no politician will want to do anything that would make voters turn away from them. We will start to see more islam in politics as time passes and the islamization continues. This is a fact of reality in every nation with a sizeable muslim population. It would be illogical to think that it would be different here. If we do not want this then we must stop islamic migration. We must drop political correctness and say it loud and clear that we do not want to become islamized. We do not want to become like Pakistan or Saudi Arabia. Only a clear language will bring the desired result. There is a direct connection between muslim demographics and islamic terror. Japan has very little muslims and no islamic terror. The visegrad countries have very little muslims and no islamic terror. Those countries with large muslim populations ALL have islamic terror in some %. This is reality whether we like it or not, whether its politically correct or not. We should have a direct democratic vote to decide if the people agree with the mass migration of muslims. Let the people decide, its afterall they who will have to live with these muslims and the good and bad that comes with their migration to our European countries. This shouldnt be a controversy but for some reason it is.

  2. avatar
    Αναγέννηση

    The Rise of the Far Right in Germany is all due to the lack of a EU Defense Force to create a Fortress Europe to prevent the Turkish State Sponsored flood of illegal immigrants into the European Union, as a result of German mainstream parties to remain military freeloaders on the backs of others, that is being undermined by Turkey and Euro-skeptics now through the Turkish State sponsored flood of illegal immigrants What we require now is for Germany to back efforts to construct a EU Defense Force and for MORE Europe in the Euro-zone creating mutualization of debt with a Economic transfer union so Eurozone can function as a proper currency . When we hear notions of Germany being ungovernable its another way of saying German Economic Protectionism has taken hold of the Central Federal Government which is not a good thing for the European Union.

  3. avatar
    Mauro Scimia

    I don’t think so. Angela is still very strong and I didn’t expect a 4th term to clinch more votes than she did . Germans have a strong sense of belonging and will get through.

  4. avatar
    Tarquin Farquhar

    @Mauro Scimia
    No.

    The German system is rigged – the Bundestag does as Big Business asks.

  5. avatar
    Paul X

    No, it just means the rampant liberal left agenda being forced upon the whole population needs to be re-assessed now they realise there are more than just a few people who don’t agree with it

    • avatar
      Peter Zietlow

      There is no EU empire except maybe in your imagination. Please compare British empire and European Union and you will find certain differences…

  6. avatar
    Matthew Wolfbane

    If a minority party instantly makes a country “ungovernable” by gaining votes, maybe the country was broken from the start.

  7. avatar
    George

    No! Mrs Merkel is a very strong lider and will sorted out .

  8. avatar
    Wolfgang Mizelli

    if you can’t politics, then yes, if you can politics, then no. politics is all about negotiating and intercultural dialogue/learning. the pink bubble of feel-good bursted, go, do your job!

  9. avatar
    EU Reform- Proactive

    I would appreciate to hear opinions from German voters.

    Since Europe has multiparty democratic systems, shouldn’t we expect- as normal- that voter’s can & will react & express trust or mistrust in political leadership, like or not? It is of special interest now, being such major & influential EU country.

    To enforce one specific direction- calling it “the middle”- while the middle actually shifted- will probably only frustrate more voters in future. To be seen!

    Is a “win” of 30% a strong mandate to pick & chose the least disrupting partner to continue regardless? It may seem a common move in “multi party democracies” & a convenient choice now, but doesn’t it expose democratic hypocrisy?

    Past CDU Motto: “WE will manage” (alone)- no worries. Labeling & name calling others!

    Is that exemplary multi party decision making in the heart of Europe- or a “democratic love” for a one party rule- as practiced in many one party dictatorships around the globe?

  10. avatar
    Peter Zietlow

    Can’t be too difficult to form a stable government including three parties. Works in many countries around the world.

  11. avatar
    Peter Zietlow

    Merkels conservatives had the worst results since 1949. She will be a weaker chancellor than before and that’s a great opportunity for Europe. Allez, Macron.

  12. avatar
    Joe Degado

    If it weren’t too serious I’d laugh my ass off reading the comments. Most people commenting have no clue and just vomit out what ever their personal thing is. So much ego and narrow-mindedness.

  13. avatar
    Joe Degado

    If it weren’t too serious I’d laugh my ass off reading the comments. Most people commenting have no clue and just vomit out what ever their personal thing is. So much ego and narrow-mindedness.

  14. avatar
    Joe Degado

    If it weren’t too serious I’d laugh my ass off reading the comments. Most people commenting have no clue and just vomit out what ever their personal thing is. So much ego and narrow-mindedness.

  15. avatar
    Joe Degado

    If it weren’t too serious I’d laugh my ass off reading the comments. Most people commenting have no clue and just vomit out what ever their personal thing is. So much ego and narrow-mindedness.

  16. avatar
    Joe Degado

    If it weren’t too serious I’d laugh my ass off reading the comments. Most people commenting have no clue and just vomit out what ever their personal thing is. So much ego and narrow-mindedness.

  17. avatar
    Joe Degado

    If it weren’t too serious I’d laugh my ass off reading the comments. Most people commenting have no clue and just vomit out what ever their personal thing is. So much ego and narrow-mindedness.

  18. avatar
    Dimitris Orfanoudis

    Ιt was expected we cried out for long change yr immigration but Brussew as well as European Parliament were deaf .. Is too late for tears

  19. avatar
    Stanislaw Gadomski

    According to common belief Brussels is guilty. Wrong, EU is ruled by informal directorate of real national leaders chosen in local elections. Mrs. Merkel remains most important among them, due to German economic status. Germany is most effective EU country in competition with East Asian manufacturers. But perspectives are bad, both for UE and USA.
    Our enemies will do everything to weak us. They play still the game started 100 years ago.

  20. avatar
    Joris van Vuure

    The EU will not survive the refugee crisis. With Merkel in denial we have the AFD as a result.

  21. avatar
    Domenico Galardo

    Nope, she just need to be in coalition with AFD if she’s not stupid. But I’ve some doubts about it….

  22. avatar
    Peter Zietlow

    If the green party joins the government, there is hope for a more federal European approach. Weaker Schaeuble, weaker de Meziere. Even more so as the European liberals (Macron’s party friend Lindner) will also be part of that government

  23. avatar
    catherine benning

    Have the German election results made the country ungovernable?

    What has made Germany unelectable is Merkel and her parties adherence to the Coudenhove-Kalergi plan she won a prize for. It is the love of refugees to the extent of European cultural suicide..

    http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4925202/EU-announces-plan-50-000-migrants.html

    However, many Germans went to the polls to reinstate that which they want to be free of? Now is that sanity? Or, one has to ask, how many of the voters in Germany are immigrants voting for more of their own cultural ethos to take over Europe?

    Remember Merkel is a Charlmagne prize winner of the strange Coudenhove-Kalergi plan to rid the continent of its indigenous people. Would indigenous Germans really vote en masse for their own demise?

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMfk5UeGw4E

  24. avatar
    Craig Willy

    Merkel’s bungling management of the migrant crisis may well cost her her job!

    • avatar
      Malte Rathje

      What a load of crap! You are not serious, are you?

    • avatar
      Francesco Caterisano

      I am very serius! Look what they did to Greece! They live on other nations collapse!

    • avatar
      Diaconu George Razvan

      Francesco Caterisano greece borrowed too much money , nobody forced them to do that!

    • avatar
      Francesco Caterisano

      And anyway who we are to say to ather nation what they should do!
      Remember Greece is not Germnay! Look at the history!
      What Germany did for the umanity and what Greece done!

    • avatar
      Matej Zaggy Zagorc

      Well, Francesco has somewhat of a point- diluted as it is.
      Greece did borrow too much, but if healthy banking was an interest to the major banks, they wouldn’t have allowed it.
      It’s a mistake on both sides that costs the EU a fortune and no one is being punished as they should.

    • avatar
      Francesco Caterisano

      Matej Zaggy Zagorc, I come from south Italy. When in the 1851 the terrorist Garibarldi made Italy, to do that they destroyed the South ( ex kingdom of the two Sicily ) and we are still destroyed!
      Now to do the Europe of Germany they are destroying all the South of europe!
      Europe is not bank! Europe is people!

    • avatar
      Matthias Meier

      Ivan Burrows lol. did you even read the source you shared? It is empty pretentious allegations without profound knowledge of any of the political processes. Just poor gibberish of an idiot.

    • avatar
      Dalia Stoskute Fischer

      Please,finaly admit your mistakes, italy and greece. Your governements for decades was failling on the country… years by years of bad decisions brought both countries where they are. Stop blamimg others!

    • avatar
      Carl Sebastian Steenekamp

      Francesco Caterisano well atleast they do not borrow and borrow and borrow and suck on the wealth from richer nations like Germany.

    • avatar
      Carl Sebastian Steenekamp

      Greece and Italy are failed nations that havr corrupt governments that always blame everything on Merkel for their problems to make them look good in public.

    • avatar
      Francesco Caterisano

      We are victims of aur governaments that are friends with yours!
      Can you please tell whats are the money we are taking from you?
      Watch less television please!!!

    • avatar
      Francesco Caterisano

      In the world it is never happened that poorest take money from richest.

      Italy is going down after the euros becouse with lira we were happy!!

      Euro is only for Germany!

      The history says, when germany it is too strong the world is in danger! That is becouse it is a criminal nation!

    • avatar
      Malte Rathje

      FrancescoCaterisano Greece joined the Euro on the basis of forged data and one of the national sports has been tax avoidance so the government went bankrupt. Do you really want to put the blame for this despicable attitude on the Germans? Get informed before posting fake news!

    • avatar
      Malte Rathje

      FrancescoCaterisano History has shown the exact opposite. When Germany was weak ( after WW1) it voted fot idots and so did and do other countries when in a desastrous situation.

    • avatar
      Malte Rathje

      IvanBurrows So what? You need to check your sources but like all Brexiters you are too gullible and buy everything that could justify your desastrous decision. All too bloody obvious.

    • avatar
      Francesco Caterisano

      Malte Rathje the ww2 happened for Germany! The europe collapse is happening for Germany!
      For Germany UK left EU!

      I think your history it is a fake news!

    • avatar
      Malte Rathje

      Hahaha! Studied it at University! You have one more try! Stop spreading your ridiculous ideas. What’s wrong with the Italian educational system?

    • avatar
      Francesco Caterisano

      What s wrong with you! University? Ridiculus ideas?

      You try to hide other people ideas just becouse maybe you are a poor idiot!

    • avatar
      Péter Sebők

      Better than a small group of fanatic extremists keeping a nation in hostage, such as Theresa May and her gang

    • avatar
      Ivan Burrows

      How on earth is Theresa May a fanatical extremist ? lol

  25. avatar
    Rémi Martin

    Francesco, don’t blame Germoney, when EU’ll collapse and it wil, Germany will have seriously societal problems… Leave EU, so you’ll deceide everything yourself in your country! ;)

  26. avatar
    Jovan Ivosevic

    Jamaica was always a hard sell but I am surprised the liberals jumped ship before the Greens. I still think a grand coalition will be forced upon the country, whether before or after elections, regardless of what the SPD says now.

  27. avatar
    Bogdan Batrin

    Such a bullshit question. Coalitions are almost the norm in Europe. Worst case they’ll have another election. Spain had 3 recently. Belgium went over 500 days with no gov. It will most likely be fine.

    This looks more like an opportunity for some to express frustrations about certain German / EU policies.

  28. avatar
    Pedro Jorge Lemos

    She provoked all that with her and soros migrant/terrorist politics… That scum isnt people but predators and Merkel will loose too much because she is blamed for all this sadness in europe and in future of our genocide

    • avatar
      Samu Tandorf

      Well, it was the voters who voted for the new Nazi party. So yes, even though this is not suggested here it is true what you say.

  29. avatar
    Andrea Scacchi

    Germany don’t worry!it has never cause world wars…oh wait. Quick a migrant crisis or something Putin to distract the “european” from their dearLeader

  30. avatar
    Samu Tandorf

    How does the electtion results in one state make the entire country ungovernable. We can still move forward if we only decided to.

  31. avatar
    Dr Freudenschade

    The irony is that the Maygars aren’t even European!

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