German Chancellor’s “Painful†Loss In State Poll …
- January 22nd, 2013
- Posted by EUEditor
Vote counting in the German state of Lower Saxony has given the election there to the opposition Social Democrat (SPD) and Green parties, defeating a coalition of Christian Democrats (CDU) and the liberal Free Democrats, affiliates of the federal Chancellor, Angela Merkel (picture).
The swing was no more than a few percentage points, just enough to make the change of government; delivering a one-seat majority to the combined SPD (33% of votes) and Greens (13%), against the CDU (36%) and Free Democrats (10%).
Yet it was a powerful psychological blow, described by the Chancellor as “painfulâ€, because it provided as well, a majority to the Opposition in the Bundesrat, the upper house of federal parliament in Berlin, where members are sent by the states.
It was also the twelfth defeat in a row for the conservative side in state elections; steadily undermining its position in that house, and now allowing the Opposition to initiate, or block legislation – in the lead-up to national elections in September.
Angela Merkel had been hoping for a better outcome, on the strength of recent positive growth figures for the economy, and strong opinion poll support for herself; as a moderate and steady hand, ably managing the impacts of Europe’s debt crisis since 2008.
Counting time spent sharing government with the SPD in a Grand Coalition, she has had two four-year terms in office; and now has been looking for momentum, against significant resistance, towards getting a third.
Reference
David Crossland, “CDU Loses Lower Saxony: State Defeat Heralds Tough Re-Election Fight for Merkelâ€, Spiegel Online International, 21.1.13. http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/merkel-s-reelection-bid-suffers-setback-in-lower-saxony-election-a-878719.html, (22.1.13).
Stephen Evans, “German opposition wins Lower Saxony electionâ€, BBC News, London, 21.1.13. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-21107054, (22.1.13).