by Saturday
Tue Aug 16th, 2005 at 03:28:07 PM EST
Two days ago, you probably heard me moaning about the absence of issues in the German election season. This has not changed. I would really, really like to present you some content-rich, hard-as-bone political infighting. But sadly, still everytbody talks about that TV-or-not-TV (freely adapted from Shakespeare) duel. So here we go:
- Conservatives beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel
- Catholic World Youth Day: The Pope in Cologne
- New poll numbers
- Off-topical birthday
by Saturday
Mon Aug 15th, 2005 at 05:28:42 PM EST
Just one more language question after soj has asked about the non-English languages spoken on Eurotrib. Since many people around here seem to come from the US, I would like to know:
by Saturday
Sun Aug 14th, 2005 at 07:35:48 AM EST
Since jandsm can not proceed with his election countdown today, I am going to try to fill the gap until he comes back.
Countdown Germany: Day -35. Reflections on a slow news Sunday
Despite the official campaign kickoff of chancellor Schröder yesterday, today is a rather slow news Sunday. Currently both big parties, the Social Democrats (SPD) because of a considerable lack of inspiration and the conservatives (CDU/CSU) because of dissension about the political strategy, are not able to set an agenda: This year's race rather looks like a convulsion than an election campaign. Meanwhile, the High Court, which has to decide whether the dissolving of the Bundestag was constitutional, seems to be in favor of allowing new elections.
Today's topics:
- Campaign kickoff of a different kind: CDU/CSU
- President Bush: Still Schröder's best canvasser?
- Where have the issues gone?
- What Germans talk about today.
[UPDATE: 21.50 CEST] Ok, afternoon brought interesting news: There will be a TV discussion between Stoiber and Left Party candidate Oskar Lafontaine. This looks like a major affront against CDU-candidate Angela Merkel who will now be regarded as not being able to tackle her political opponents on her own. Up to now, there has been no comment by Mrs. Merkel. But I can hardly believe that she gave her blessing to Stoiber's move. Again: The rift among Germany's conservatives continues to grow.
