Germany decides !

[Liar]

Die Grünen have said that they are not interrested in a coalition with SPD. However, I don't think they expected this kind of stalemate.

 

[Lauren Hynde]

But there is a better than average chance that the lunatic fringe can get an untoward amount of power compared to their following, especially if a coalition is formed and their votes prove crucial in decisions.

Take the BNP in England (facists, or racist fuckheads, as I like to call them). They can garner 3% of the vote overall and have a risible presence in most constituencies. In most cases they fail to get their deposit back. They have no populist backing anywhere and thus they have no power. Yet in proportional representation would allow them a seat in Parliament.

The Earl

On the other hand, it puts a lot more emphasis on parliament (and ultimately on democracy), as opposed to absolutist government rule, with control of the house. A minority government can turn to the other large party and say, "Listen, be reasonable. Let's reach a consensus about this particular law or decision, or else we'll just have to ask BNP, and fuck knows what they're going to ask in return."

It's the mature way to solve problems. Parliament. It means people are supposed to parley.

 

[Lauren Hynde]

But there is a better than average chance that the lunatic fringe can get an untoward amount of power compared to their following, especially if a coalition is formed and their votes prove crucial in decisions.

Take the BNP in England (facists, or racist fuckheads, as I like to call them). They can garner 3% of the vote overall and have a risible presence in most constituencies. In most cases they fail to get their deposit back. They have no populist backing anywhere and thus they have no power. Yet in proportional representation would allow them a seat in Parliament.

The Earl

Besides, I don't know of any place with a real direct one-circle proportional representation. Germany certainly doesn't have it.

 

[Liar]

Besides, I don't know of any place with a real direct one-circle proportional representation. Germany certainly doesn't have it.

If I'm not mistaken, Switzerland used to have that. But then again, nobody there gives a rat's ass about the national parliament. The de facto power is regional, even more than in for instance the US.

 

[Lauren Hynde]

If I'm not mistaken, Switzerland used to have that. But then again, nobody there gives a rat's ass about the national parliament. The de facto power is regional, even more than in for instance the US.

Really? Switzerland would probably be the last place I'd peg for one-circle proportional representation, with it being a confederation...

Luxembourg may have it, though.

 

[Liar]

Really? Switzerland would probably be the last place I'd peg for one-circle proportional representation, with it being a confederation...

Luxembourg may have it, though.

I read about it. Being a confederation with almot all power locally, the central parliament was more of a debate club than a legislating congregation, so the cantons didn't care. It changed shape somehwee in the 70's or 80's. To what I have no idea.

 

[Lauren Hynde]

That's interesting. Thanks.

 

[Liar]

Anyway, back to Germany. The Greens seems to have the opportunity to play jumping jacks between whatever minority guvment there is and the opposition. I can't see why they wouldn't. THey've proved their worth as a mature political player the last decade, at the cost of diminshing support. They need to shake up the debate again.

 

[SnoopDog]

Is it that unlikely that all the Left-wing parties can come together to form a majority coalition (SPD + The Greens + Former-Communists)?

Actually yes, as crazy as it sounds but SPD has clearly outruled any involvement with the former communists.

As has the CDU/CSU.

Snoopy

 

[SnoopDog]

Anyway, back to Germany. The Greens seems to have the opportunity to play jumping jacks between whatever minority guvment there is and the opposition. I can't see why they wouldn't. THey've proved their worth as a mature political player the last decade, at the cost of diminshing support. They need to shake up the debate again.

But honestly, if the Greens would form a coalition with the CDU/CSU and the FDP just in orer to stay in power, they'd lose a lot of respect (mine being the first) because that practically constitutes prostitution !

Let's face the only coalition making sense politically is the Grand one....and that would also be a very bad coalition.

It will be interesting to see how the SPD would approach such a Grand Coalition now, since the chancellor has said he wanted to stay chancellor, even in a Grand Coalition. But the fact is that the CDU/CSU has more votes.....

Snoopy