威力彩玩法

The 威力彩玩法: What is the mood like within the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) regarding the prospect of a government coalition? Is the party leadership confident that a stable government can be built, and can this happen before Christmas?

Elmar Brok: Yes, Chancellor [Angela Merkel] said this could happen before Christmas. Of course, we have to wait for the state election in Lower Saxony, because of which many [politicians] are still in campaign mode. And we hope that all parties 鈥� all four parties 鈥� feel a high level of responsibility, so that we can now form a pro-European, democratic centrist coalition. The thought of new elections is dreadful, because if we had new elections in February, this would only play into the hands of the Alternative for Germany (AfD). They would say 鈥渢he democratic parties are incapable of acting鈥�. Then we鈥檒l have more than 20 percent support for the AfD. I don鈥檛 think anyone will be that irresponsible.

威力彩玩法: You said 鈥渇our parties鈥�. The Social Democrats announced that they will go into opposition. Does this mean that a 鈥楯amaica鈥� coalition is the only possibility for a government alliance?

EB: For now, this is the case. Because of the behaviour of the SPD, it is up to the CDU/CSU, the FDP, and the Greens. They must manage now. I understand the frustration within the Social Democrats, but if it seriously comes down to defending democracy, the SPD must also step up.

威力彩玩法: The focus in the days directly following an election is on inner-party analyses of the results, and on the parliamentary groups鈥� first meetings. What are the next steps on the way to a new government coalition?

EB: The chancellor will now calmly engage in exploratory talks with all democratic parties. The format for the official coalition negotiations will result from these talks: which working groups will be established, which will be the major topics, and so on and so forth. So, it鈥檒l be the usual process and it will last until the end of November. It may take two weeks more this time, I don鈥檛 know, but the process has to be concluded before Christmas.

威力彩玩法: Free Democratic Party (FDP) head Christian Lindner that it was 鈥渨ritten in the stars鈥� whether the different party positions could be reconciled in a consistent manner and in Germany鈥檚 interest. Your party colleague, Schleswig-Holstein鈥檚 state premier Daniel G眉nther 鈥� who himself leads a 鈥楯amaica鈥� coalition 鈥�, at this point. What do you consider the biggest stumbling blocks to the 鈥楯amaica鈥� coalition talks?

EB: The main disagreements are, of course, between the FDP and the Greens. I think we all have to be reasonable. Also, if we鈥檙e below 200,000 refugees, we don鈥檛 need to include an , anyway.

威力彩玩法: So, migration is one issue. What about climate policy, certain aspects of which could turn out to be a red line for the Green Party?

EB: Everyone must be flexible. We鈥檙e also in favour of better climate policy, the chancellor has championed this. But everything must happen in a reasonable and balanced manner: everybody must budge and show willingness to compromise.

威力彩玩法: What happens if the talks fail? Would that trigger new elections?

EB: If the SPD continues to refuse [a role in the government], there will be a new election and the Alternative for Germany (AfD) will win 20 percent of the vote. Everyone has to know for themselves whether they want to bear the responsibility for such an outcome, simply because of party politicking.

威力彩玩法: If 鈥楯amaica鈥� does not work out, would the chancellor approach the Social Democrats again?

EB: Yes, of course, she would. Everybody must be ready and willing then. We cannot allow the mistakes of 1930 鈥� when the democratic parties could not agree 鈥� to be repeated.

威力彩玩法: Will the chancellor succeed in finding the necessary compromises between the four parties?

EB: She has proven her ability to do so three times already, and she will prove it again this time.听

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For background, read the 威力彩玩法 factsheets on the long road to a new government coalition in Germany and on climate & energy stumbling blocks for Jamaica-coalition talks.