Germans craft pro-U.S. agenda to oust Schroeder

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.suntimes.com/output/news/cst-nws-germ11.html

BERLIN -- Germany's opposition aims to oust Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder with a program to boost Europe's largest economy and "reinvigorate" relations with the United States, according to a draft obtained Sunday by the Associated Press.

The program, to be formally endorsed today by the Christian Democratic Union and its Bavarian sister party, includes an increase in sales tax and looser rules for companies to hire and fire staff. It also rules out Turkish membership in the European Union.

The parties are also trying to win back voters by invoking Germany's strained relations with Washington. Schroeder ran for re-election in 2002 on a platform opposing the U.S.-led war in Iraq, and Bush pointedly refused to offer the traditional congratulations to him on his victory.

Tax changes urged

[endarkenment]

1. Good. They will be losing that election.

For a moment I thought that the opposition would focus on economic issues where they might have a good shot at taking out the SD. Instead they have chosen to focus on the issue that will unify support for the left coalition.

[elaineb]

4. I hope you're right, but...

I've got a German friend who is positive Angela Merkel and the CDU/CSU is almost sure to win, and that's also the opinion of most of the articles I've read. I doubt whether this "pro-US agenda" is such a surprise to the electorate at this point, since I believe the CDU/CSU has held this position in the past. I think the problem is that the rank-and-file SPD members feel that Schröder and the current leadership has betrayed the party's traditional principles. It's confusing to me how CDU/CSU could win, but I guess the anger against Schröder is great enough that it could happen. Hopefully, no matter what happens, the new left-wing party, the WAsG, will gain enough votes to get representation in the Bundestag or at least enough votes to convince the SPD to return to its traditional principles.

[Zorra]

2. The folks from Germany that I have spoken with thoroughly detest Bu*h.

Passionately.

Looks like Schroeder is a lock.

[Imajika]

10. Your dreaming...

"Looks like Schroeder is a lock."

You clearly haven't been following German politics if you actually believe that. The CDU/CSU are set to win big - which means Schroeder is out.

Imajika

[dArKeR]

3. Does anyone in America actually think aWol made this decision or

does aWol just piss in the direction he's told to?

"Bush pointedly refused to offer the traditional congratulations to him on his victory."

[Kellanved]

5. what are the guys at the sunday times smoking?

And where can I get it?

The sad part: the workable proposals in the program are almost completely taken from acts the conservative upper house majority vetoed(Merkel vetoed more laws than any minority whip before her). Plus a few tax increases - Merkel had to include those to gain the support of the powerful state-level officials.

The remainder is about as realistic as the Lord of the Rings. Basically they are saying: we want to win the election; the jobs will appear magically by reducing worker's rights.

Regarding foreign policy: Schroeder spent the past three years repairing relations with Bush...

[Karenina]

7. Oh dear, oh my...

What with Carlyle's recent influx of "venture capital" and all...
We are ALL so AUSGEFLIPPENFICKENFUCKED!

[sonicx]

6. Unfortunately, Schroeder is down big in the polls

so the right-wingers will probably win the election, but not because of this agenda, but because the German economy is poor.

[Imajika]

8. Schroeder is finished..

Virtually nothing is a lock in life, but there is almost zero chance of Schroeder pulling this thing out. The SPD/Greens are going to get slaughtered by the CDU/CSU. Merkel is going to be Chancellor in a few months time.

Germany's economy has been in the crapper for just too long. The unemployment rate is hardly improving at all. Schroeder's reforms have pissed off his own constituency, and do not appear to have helped much. The SPD couldn't even hold North Rhine-Westphalia.

Being anti-Iraq war worked for Schroeder once, but I'd bet there is no chance it will work again. Merkel will win. We are going to have to deal with a rightwing German government for a few years.

Imajika

[sonicx]

9. yeah

It sucks. New Zealand's PM might not make it either. :(