Social Democrats have started coalition talks with Chancellor Angela Merkel’s CDU for another term after initial reluctance.
This comes as a relief as the thaw will see stop the rise of rightist elements.
How is the political situation within Germany?
Germany has a proportional representation system and the recent elections didn’t give a clear mandate to any single political grouping.
While incumbent Chancellor Ms. Merkel’s “Christian Democratic Union” emerged as the largest party, their vote share reduced by over 8%.
Collapse of Talks - As they didn’t have a majority on their own, they had to seek for alliances to form a government.
But unlike the previous time when the “Social Democrats (SD)” supported the CDU government, this time, they had initially wanted to sit in the opposition.
This was largely to focus on arresting the party’s eroding vote base which has come down from 40% in 1998 to around 20% presently.
Subsequently, the CDU went ahead into talks with “Greens Party”, but an alliance couldn’t materialise after months of negotiations.
Revival - While political uncertainty loomed, the Social Democrats have currently decided to renegotiate an alliance with a minimum work agenda.
Notably, the preliminary demands of the SPD regarding guaranteed pension level and child benefits have already been agreed upon by CDU in principle.
But considering the ideological differences and the perception that the prolonged coalition has weakened SD might prove blockages in negotiations.
What are the under currents?
AFD factor - The election saw the rightist AFD (Alternatives for Germany) emerge as a major player and the 3rd largest entity in the German parliament.
AFD is a right-wing party that is anti-immigration and Euro-sceptic, which debuted in the recent election by vehement opposition to Ms. Merkel.
Notably, SD’s reconsideration for a coalition is also primarily to avoid another election, which might help in enhancing the popularity of the rightist AFD.
Leadership Challenge - Some within the CDU have started questioning the leadership of Ms. Merkel, who has helmed continuously for 12 year now.
But her presence is crucial for preserving the EU, which under threat from populist governments that have sprouted in many European nations.
