Scenes of forming a government in Germany

This never happened. The selector spoke, but the government cannot be created. Now there are many possible things. And some depend on the ability of the Federal President.

By Deutsche Welle

Suddenly all the projectors have been directed by him. Frank-Walter Steinmeier, under protocol number 1 in the German state, must save what once failed: a government coalition. And he is even obliged to do so, the German constitution gives him with Article 63 important competencies for creating a government. Instead of representing, Steinmeier must now act politically. A job that suits Germany's first former diplomat. As Foreign Minister, “the silvery-haired leader of the” was the master of the golden word.

President's Time of Diplomat

As foreign minister, his conciliatory style was considered a strong side. But this time he also needs to look. “Better not rule than to rule wrongly”, Christian Linder had said after the failure of the negotiations. Federal President thinks differently. The one competing for political responsibility should not withdraw “when he has it in his hands”. Steinmeier's response to the failure was clear: the final word for the Jamaica coalition has not been said yet. Because now he's talking and he's talking to all the participants.

Never existed: A Minority Government

It would have been a premiere. A coalition consisting of unionists and the FDP would lack 29 votes. Unionists and Turkey would have a deficit of 42 deputies. This turns governance into a hopeless mission. The constant threat of party tactical games remains. The SPD can somehow contain this by 20 percent. With that she would not forget her word, that a grand coalition with the unionists she no longer wants. The unionists' alliance with the Social Democrats was more than punished by 14 per cent of the vote he received in the election.

The other version would be more spectacular: a stamp in the unionist parties against the continuing Chancellor. The failed political killing of kingdoms and successful- there has been also a great German party democracy. In 1989, Helmut Kohli was rescued at the Bremen party convention for a brief crash. Just before the fall of the Wall, he was able to impress the rebel party with the news from Hungary, where borders for refugees from the GDR had been opened. His entry into history books is known to begin only later. In 1995, Social Democrats showed at their party's Manheim congress how without warning and quietly they were able to separate from party chairman Rudolf Scharping.

But at the CDU in 1989, as well as the SPD in 1995, the descendants were expected: Lothar Spät and Oscar Lafontane. But after Merkel there is no one who expects to be a successor.

New Choices

Even in this case is the Federal President who keeps the reins in his hands. To be elected, the Chancellor Merkel needs an absolute majority. Only if this majority does not secure in the third round can the Federal President break up Bundestag and announce new elections within 60 days. According to polls, two-thirds of Germans want new elections, should negotiations between parties ultimately fail.

According to the state of affairs, only AfD can enjoy a new election campaign. The overall failure of negotiations itself helps. The liberals are seen from Sunday as stubborn tyrants.