[kreuzberger]

Expect to see how this is bad news for Labour pieces tomorrow.

This is not unreasonable. Scholz was washed into the hot seat on a wave of goodwill following his deft handling of Covid-19. Albeit with different dynamics, that vote was as fragile as anti-tory sentiment in an FPTP system. Memories are not inexhaustible.

Scholz is a charming man, whom I like, but his balls are as good as non-existent. When the shit hit the fan, he merely sent a consignment of helmets to Ukraine. Jup, helmets.

[The Weeping Angel]

Well Starmer has sent a hell of a lot more than helmets to Ukraine.

[Youngian]

Why do the FDP do so badly? Given the sclerotic nature of the German economy you'd expect 'release the entrepreneurial spirit' type rhetoric to find a receptive audience among middle class voters. Or does the AfD do that?

[kreuzberger]

Why do the FDP do so badly? Given the sclerotic nature of the German economy you'd expect 'release the entrepreneurial spirit' type rhetoric to find a receptive audience among middle class voters. Or does the AfD do that?

Their "and fuck everyone else" message was loud and proud. This has not gone down too well in a country which generally doesn't rely upon charity to help those in need or stump up for school fees.

(Spoiler; the safety net for those in serious peril is as good as non-existent.)

[satnav]

In recent years across much of Europe there has been a perfect storm which has contributed to the rise of far right parties. Many economies have been well and truly screwed by the Covid pandemic which saw a sharp fall in growth and a sharp rise in government spending and debt. At the same time immigration has risen because of conflicts in Ukraine and elsewhere around the world. The issues that these factors have caused have been amplified by social media. Whilst many on the left use social media to argue with themselves those on the right have used social media to whip up the anti-immigration rhetoric. Social media clearly seems to be a major factor leading to young people flirting with the far right.

[davidjay]

I wonder if the explosion of tinfoil hats worldwide has led to an outbreak of Holocaust denial in Germany.

[Crabcakes]

I think we can chalk this one up as “could be worse”. Hopefully it doesn’t get worse.

[mattomac]

Yeah agreed.

Anyone tell me the blotches in the East that are not AFD bar of course Berlin.

[Oboogie]

I think we can chalk this one up as “could be worse”. Hopefully it doesn’t get worse.

80% of Germans voted for parties which pledged not to work with AfD, whilst it's deplorable that it wasn't 100%, I'm still chalking that up as a win.

As for getting worse, I'm no expert on German politics but conditions were seemingly pretty favourable for AfD and this was the best they could manage. I'm hopeful this is their highwater mark.

[Tubby Isaacs]

So, can they get rid of the debt brake?

[kreuzberger]

All the Deutschland-Unleashed news here, when you need it the most.

Erm... the DAX closed up a whopping +0,33 % this afternoon.

[kreuzberger]

In the West, we contribute a Solidatitätszuschlag - a solidarity premium - every month to the former DDR states through the PAYE equivalent. It is to finance the rebuild following decades of Soviet-led neglect and pillage. Schools, health centres, motorways, grants to do up homes, churches, and stately piles - you name it, Western Germany has coughed for it

Until Sunday, I had never heard a peep of opposition to that. Since they have gone full Braun in the recent federal elections, there has risen a rolling boil of dissatisfaction, suggesting that they can either stand on their own two fucking feet or run back to Moscow for their bailout.

[Tubby Isaacs]

[The Weeping Angel]

Hopefully they'll stop closing nuclear power plants as well.