Germany has voted and Germany has voted to keep Merkel chancellor. This should come as no surprise to anyone who is not an embittered troll on the Tellygraff’s comment sections. Roughly 70pc of Germans approve of Merkel’s performance, and the Union — the name given to her party, the CDU, and its Bavarian sister party, the CSU came within 3 votes of securing a majority on its own. The Free Democrats for the first time since the establishment of the Federal Republic failed to make it into parliament, hardly a surprise. They were only marginally successful so long as they had little to say and thus never had to deliver anything. After they were given a strong voice following the 2009 federal election, they disappointed all and according to one poll 90pc of voters said that their main source of disgust was their ability to promise many things, but deliver nothing. This incompetence was not helped by the inept Westerwelle’s replacement by the equally inept Rösler who seemingly saw racism in every critique of his political abilities.
Not having secured an all-out majority Merkel will more likely than not seek to form a coalition with either a much-reduced Social Democratic opposition or a weakened Green party. While the SPD have shown little interest, the Greens even less and as both have ruled out forming a coalition with die Linke, one or the other will have to swallow bitterness and become truly a junior coalition partner. What cannot be forgotten in this election is that the results came as a response to Merkel’s popularity, not the popularity of her party — and that other than Merkel Germany lacks credible leaders.
Boadicea's Chariot 
Christopher, I believe the world in general now lacks ‘leaders’ – largely because we now know so much about them and cannot be force-fed the party propaganda as we used to be. We are reluctant to be led by mere humans – with exceptions like Angela of course. I rank Obama as another – but I suspect you don’t!
I was sorry that the AfD only just missed getting into parliament.
Although Mrs Merkel seems one of the more reasonable European leaders, I fear this is a Phyrric victory. Like the UK Conservatives, she will be saddled with a junior partner who is more proud of stopping necessary reforms tnan contributing anything useful.
Janus: your point is strong.We know a lot more about leaders today than we did before. If nothing else, Aethelred showed that inept leaders have long been among us. Angela is accepted as a leader because she is quiet and goes about doing her job without a fuss. Life in Germany is good — the economy is solid, inflation moderate and unemployment low. She has also not disgraced herself or her country. As for Obama… He, like most things American, does not interest or concern me in the least. The USA has sewed its seeds, now it must reap its harvest.
Sheona: I’m not sure what good the AfD would have done. They would not have been in the government and their influence slim, if anything. All they did was force Merkel into a coalition with an even more pro-euro party.
FEEG: the last Grand Coalition was not too bad for Germany. Both the SPD and CDU are financially sensible. Now they have to do something other than simply oppose anything Merkel proposes — over the last few years they have used their majority in the Bundesrat to do just that.
Christopher, yes I’m also sorry that Merkel did not get an absolute majority, but I feel that an AfD presence might have been a constant reminder of what a disaster the single currency has been and how much Germany might have to shell out. A bit like the slave whispering “Memento mori”.
Sheona: I am glad that AfD are there, but I think it would have been better if they had waited until next year to run for the European elections as they will certainly win seats there. Much like Hannan, they would have been able to make the case in the heart of the beast and always reminded Germany from there.
But the AfD will still stand in the European parliament elections next year, I think. Perhaps they just wanted a trial run to gage support in a real election.
But thanks to the the Greens, they ensured that Germany will very shortly have an energy crisis!
Interesting to hear opinions. I admit to knowing very little about European politics.
One thing about Angela Merkel, she appears to be a decent human being, more than can be said for most politicians.
Sheona: I am absolutely convinced that the AfD will stand in the European elections and that they will do relatively well. If nothing else the strength of their result — and that they drew votes from all parties — has given a warning to the other parties. A relatively strong European result should re-enforce this. I also suspect that, despite the momentary chaos UKIP will take the largest share of votes in the UK.
FEEG: maybe, maybe not. Germany will manage. Perhaps a bit of main will be enough to help kill the Green movement a bit.
CO: Merkel’s modesty endears her to many voters in Germany. She lives in relative modesty and her clothes are modest. If she does so much as buy a new jacket or chain of pearls there is a near media-sensation. She also avoids making herself the centre of attention, despite her position.
Surely Angela has a tougher side too? It’s always said that female leaders have to be brighter, better and stronger than the rest. How does she do it? I doubt whether she is always sweetness and light.
Janus: she’s very thorough and methodological in her approach to all things. When the timing seems right she will move against her opponents, especially when they are in a weak position. She’s very calculating and can be quite brutal in her actions. After all, she more than anyone was responsible for Kohl’s removal.