Angela Merkel In The Haus: The German Elections, Explained

ANGELA MERKEL IN THE HAUS Everything you need to know about the elections in Germany: The votes, then and now: Angela Merkel, leader of 2009 2013 CDU (Christian Democratic Union) Germany's main conservative party, led by Angela Merkel. The party won the 2013 elections with almost an absolute majority of seats. the Christian Democratic 33.8% 41.5% Union (CDU), Germany's main conservative political party, was just re-elected to serve as chancellor for four more 23% years. But this time sheʼll have to partner with a left-leaning party in making decisions SPD (Social Democratic Party) Has traditionally represented workers rights; this was the only other party to have gained 25.7% 14.6% seats in this election. about euro zone economic Left Party 8.6% 11.9% strategy. 8.4% Greens 10.7% FDP (Free Democratic Party) AfD (Alternative for Germany) Others Pirate Party 4.8% 4.7% Here's how the elections in 4% 4.1% Germany played out: 2% 2.2% O seats 5% Rule: FDP A party needs at least 5% of the national vote to get seats in the Bundestag, the German parliament. For the first time, the FDP, the CDU's coalition partner, was 192 seats CDU unable to get more than 5% of Center Left votes, and didn't make the Bundestag. SPD Narrowly missing an absolute majority, the CDU will have to form a coalition with one of the other parties that made it to the Bundestag. But unlike the CDU, they're all left-leaning parties. Center Right Center Right Will likely demand a minimum wage and more taxes to fund 64 seats social programs, which could lower Germany's GDP. 630 Seats In Bundestag Left Party Used to be Left ) communist. 63 seats Greens Focused on pacifism and environmental activism. Left Change in number of seats in Bundestag, from 2009 to 2013: O seats +72 AfD CDU SPD +46 Know for being anti-Euro, this newly significant party could be an annoyance to -5 Green Party 12 Left Party Merkel and force her to pay more attention to the right. -93 FDP -100 -80 -60 -40 -20 20 40 60 80 Right Possible coalitions: Merkel and the CDU need 316 seats to forma government, and the FDP, having fallen out of favor, is no longer a choice. The CDU will have to choose one of three left-leaning parties. This will likely result in "more paralysis for Europe as German leaders engage in weeks of horse-trading," according to the NYTimes. CDU & SPD CDU & Greens Left Coalition This "grand coalition" is the most likely to happen, even though the The center-right CDU and the left Though highly unlikely, this combination could strip Merkel of much decision making power. Greens would make for an odd SPD seems less than enthusiastic coaltion -- unlikely but possible. about the idea at the moment. EUROPE, ON ANGELA MERKEL As the leader of Germany, Angela Merkel will soon have to make several important decisions about bailed-out euro zone nations. Greece will need a third bailout package, and Ireland might need a credit line as well. And then there's Portugal, whose current bailout package expires in 2014. In addition, Merkel will have to make decisions regarding Europe's banking union and possibly a common European bank resolution fund. Overall, more EU residents trust Merkel with the European economy over their own countries and even the EU itself, according to a poll of residents of 11 European countries and Turkey conducted by the German Marshall Fund (GMF). Here's the percentage of people who said they trust Merkel most, in each country polled: Germany 64% Poland 56% Romania 42% Sweden 59% United Kingdom 43% 47% % in that country who trust Merkel most Netherlands 73% Trusts Merkel most Slovakia 43% France 58% Trusts Own Country most Italy 30% Trusts the EU most Portugal 30% Spain 15% Turkey 28% Here are the full result of the GMF poll: 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 32%| 53% Netherlands 73% 56% 54% 64%| Germany 59% 45% Sweden 59% 23% 42%| France 58%| However, the Greeks don't agree. | 23%| Poland 55% 56%| 79% have a negative opinion of Merkel 34% 43% 47%| EU 34% 53% Slovakia 43%| 35% 33% UK Only 20% think she's doing a good job 43%l 30% 54% Romania 42% 32% 41% Italy 33%l 26%| 41% Portugal 30% 43% 46% Turkey 28%| By Lisa Mahapatra INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS TIMES 18% 21%| 15% Spain Sources: GMF's 11th annual Transatlantic Trends survey, Public Issue September 2013 (Greek Opinion Pollster) 311 Seats Coalition