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German Politics

I am always interested in what is going on in Germany, mostly because I feel that decisions made there will once again impact the world just as much as it did in WWII. As usual even though they are re-unified they are not unified in thinking and thus the political rambling of Germany has been started here for discussion.

German President to elucidate difficulties of calling early election

German President Horst Koehler wants to meet with party and parliamentary caucus leaders to explain what needs to be done in order to hold the next federal election a year ahead of schedule, as has been proposed by Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder. Koehler told the newspaper "Die Zeit" that he would also hold talks with outside experts regarding the "principle difficulties" involved. At the end of this process, he will decide whether and how to proceed. In order to bring about the dissolution of parliament, Schroeder must call upon the Bundestag to vote on the issue of confidence, and, after arranging with his own government's Members of the Bundestag to lose that vote, formally ask the President to call a new election.
Ref. https://www.germnews.de/dn

Politics German

Being an American of German birth, and now back in Europe after 43 years in the USA, having had German parents, and now a German girlfriend, and having acquired a new German family I am fortunate to live in the richest country in Europe and one of the smallest - Luxembourg. Luxembourg also has the highest quality of life rating in the World according to the "World Book of Statistics."

This small country of 430,000 people has had its Prime Minister nominated as President of the European Council.

Having arrived in Europe October of 2000, I have witnessed history first hand history in the making.

Having contacts also with my relatives in Germany both the old generation and the new, some of whom also live in other neighboring countries, and having fluent knowledge of the Germany language, (my girl speaking five languages) and having a background in the USA in history, military, insurance sales, I have the following comment ....

The German people as a whole are in utter despair and live in hopelessness. The cost of reunification is an ongoing massive burden, and no other State in Europe has that drag on its economy.

Germany has negative population growth and a huge surplus elderly population. This demographic alone is not enough to pay the taxes, as most German cities and townships are in the red or near bankruptcy.

This comes at a time when out-sourcing of jobs, and the complete overhaul of the old Stalinist coal and steel state of eastern Germany has more demands on the treasury.

The German people have lost faith in Schroeders Social Democrats and they have no faith in the other political parties; voting seldom reaching above 60% of those eligible.

In recent years Germany has been hit with ecology disasters the worst in over 100 years; mass flooding, and severe hot weather which has decimated crops and created more demands on the Treasury.

Going from the Deutsch Mark to the Euro was an additional expense, and prices increased as much as 50%.

Falling living standards, over 12% unemployment, job outsourcing and record bankruptcy, and the recent negative feelings for EU politicians in Brussels that seek to regulate everything from the size of fruits and vegetables at the grocery to the size of the seat in a tractor, the rapid expansion of Europe to the East will make life dfficult for any politcal party or create any sense of stability.

Now as in the USA in years past, Unions are feeling the pressure to disband (everybody still has a Union here,) vacations and vacation pay and health and other benefits are being cut. More sacrifices are at hand regardless which political party or parliament is created.

On the bright side, Germany will be self-sufficient in energy (solar) within 5-8 years. way ahead of the USA. And when the Oil crisis hits the USA, Asia etc, and when the American economy goes into deep recession, Germany will be thriving and exporting energy.

Optimistically, Europe will evolve and prosper ... here the bureaucrats got the message in the last European Constitution ratification attempt .... forget your games and behind the scenes maneuverings. If you forget the people you will be out of a job.

German Politics History & Civil Business Politics

Based on what I read above does any Politician subscribe to encouraging immigration to bring in more tax payers or do germans in general not want this? What do the politicians offer as an answer? It is always interesting to me how many Germans travel around the world each year despite the doom and gloom you portray.

Politics German

In the former East Germany most of the larger cities are devoid of young people who have migrated to western Germany to seek employment. In the East unemployment reaches over 22%.

In western Germany unemployment is about 12%. Germany has a very poor day care system if at all, preventing women from entering the work force. The average German is involved in specialized studies and does not enter the work force until age 32.

In most of the European Union including Germany average paid vacations average six weeks which every worker gets.

The same credit cards like Visa and Mastercard you have in the USA at 20-22% interest only charge on average 3-5.5% in the European Union.

Most people in the European Union that have had a bank account for six months also receive up to a 10,000 dollar credit (12,500 euros) for overdrafts on their bank accounts which are loaned out at 3.5% interest.

Germany has eight million guest workers Turks, Africans, others, who permanently stayed in the country but never integrated into the culture. Most not speaking German, and maintaining their other national identities. (a huge problem).

Because of the five million unemployed (mostly Germans), who cannot find work because the foreign guest workers (8 million) that now have permanent residency and enjoy German work contract, (in the European Union it is not hire and fire; all workers have job contracts and if they are laid off they must be paid out in cash their contract period which averages five years; payout could be 25,000 - 40,000 dollars).

Because of these conditions, and because the permanent resident guest workers work cheaper (like Mexicans in the USA) the German workers cannot find work, and the guest workers are guaranteed their positions or would be costly to pay off.

Politics German

Following the Chancellor's reading the riot act

Berlin. In spite of having been read the riot-act by Chancellor Schroeder, federal head of the Young Socialists (SPD) Boehning renewed his criticism of President (Bundespraesident) Koehler. On radio Bayerischer Rundfunk, Mr Boehning said that he was not so much concerned if Mr Koehler had passed on the contents of confidential talks, but about his agenda. In his book this was getting close to the CDU's manifesto. Leading SPD-politicians meanwhile backed Mr Schroeder: "The Chancellor will not fail because of the SPD's left-wingers", according to spokesperson for the SPD's left wing Michael Mueller in an interview with press agency dpa. Mr Mueller also said that he had not attacked the President as an institution, but had only voiced his anger about certain events he had taken exception to. Some SPD-politicians had accused the President of being biased in favour of the opposition parties, and of having leaked confidential information. Rhineland-Palatinate's Premier, who also is deputy head of the SPD, said he was confident his party would close ranks and fight a united election campaign. He admitted, on TV-network ARD, that at this stage the SPD was not exactly in good nick, and that leading members had 'overshot' when criticising the President. He, however, thought that common sense would prevail.
Ref. https://www.germnews.de/dn

German Politics

Chancellor Schroeder loses confidence vote, as planned

Berlin. Chancellor Schroeder lost the vote of confidence in Parliament (Bundestag), as planned, and thus met one of the conditions for new elections. Only 251 members of parliament voted for, and 296 against him, while 148 abstained. Before the vote, Chancellor Schroeder had said that he had decided to ask the House for the vote because he lacked the (full) support of the coalition. Foreign Minister Fischer confirmed that new elections were required. Germans wanted new elections, so that's what they had to get.
Ref. https://www.germnews.de/dn

German Politics

Left-wing coalition gaining ground

According to an election poll by Infratest dimap, the left-wing coalition between PDS and WASG is gaining ground, namely 11% within last week. The CDU/CSU lost, and is sitting at 43%, whereas the SPD's 37% have not changed at all. Chancellor Schroeder compares quite favourably with challenger Ms Merkel: 47% vs 37%.
Ref. https://www.germnews.de/dn

German Politics Politics Business Civil & History

With such a high unemployment figure a government that has no confidence in its leader and a wavering economy this reminds me of the years before Adolphs reign. I hope the Germans come out of it.

An Average of 4.75 Million Unemployed Expected

Nuremberg. Job market researchers expect an average of 4.75 millions unemployed persons for this year. This would be an increase of 370,000 compared to the year 2004. With this, the research institute of the federal job agency corrected the former more optimistic forecast. It mentioned as a reason that the economic situation did develop weaker than expected.
Ref. https://www.germnews.de/dn