Posted on 09/22/2013 1:26:13 AM PDT by Berlin_Freeper
BERLIN (AFP) - Germans began voting Sunday with Chancellor Angela Merkel poised to win a third term, which would make her Europe's only major leader to survive its financial crisis although she could be forced into governing with her main rivals.Polls opened at 8:00 am (0600 GMT) with nearly 62 million voters called to cast ballots in Europe's top economy. Initial television estimates are expected shortly after booths close at 1600 GMT.
After shepherding Germany through the debt turmoil, Merkel has emerged more popular than ever, proving a safe pair of hands as the crisis felled leaders in France, Greece, Italy and Spain.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
German Chancellor Angela Merkel, an unflappable pastors daughter, is closing in on a third term in Sundays general election, cementing her title as the worlds most powerful woman. So strong is Merkels position that she has often seemed to transcend politics during what may be the last of her juggernaut campaigns, simply ignoring her opponent along the way. This month a giant billboard went up at Berlins main train station featuring only a picture of the chancellors hands folded in her trademark diamond-shape gesture. Quite simply, the mighty Merkel is the message.
She wins...no doubt. The coalition? That’s the real issue. If her buddies...the FDP....don’t get five percent....it’s a fair-sized mess to figure the next deal maker.
The anti-Euro guys? They might actually clear five-percent and no one wants them in as a partner. The SPD? It’s just inviting issues. The Greens? Folks laugh over that option.
We need to count the votes but let’s look at the UK for a coalition example. Give a couple high profile jobs to party leaders and they will step in-line.
“Yes, it will be close,” ... “I said right from the start that every vote counts.” - Angela Merkel
Assciated Press
"Get back into the fray. Start canvassing again," she told the rank and file of her centre-right party during a rally in Berlin. "I am personally appealing to the Germans: grant me a strong mandate so I can serve Germany for another four years."
Just got an email from my wife who went with her mother to vote for Angela Merkel:
Omw with food:)
Well, I’m glad she is reluctant to get involved in Syria.
Forming a coalition is the real issue; I can see a repeat of Merkel’s first term - a CDU/SDP coalition, a “Grand Coalition”.
We’ll know later today whether the FDP clears the 5% threshold. If they don’t, a CDU/SDP coalition is the most likely outcome.
“Germany has had four good years” ... “When we look around in Europe, we know that is anything but automatic.” - Angela Merkel
“We have to continue on this course,” ... “Stabilization in Europe is in the fundamental interests of Germans and secures German jobs.” - Angela Merkel
German election #btw13: Chancellor Angela Merkel has voted. (photo: Getty Images via @Bild http://t.co/BP9vPqhK8C) pic.twitter.com/7zhTnJTJXr— electionista (@electionista) September 22, 2013
Polls in #Germany close in just over 4hrs. Sunday voting, early results...all very civilised. And good for reporters on deadline! #btw13— Peter Spiegel (@SpiegelPeter) September 22, 2013
2013: Cast a Vote .... Drink a Beer
Would love to be at Oktoberfest tonight in the tents!
Ein Prosit, ein Prosit, der Gemuetlikeit!
After shepherding Germany through the debt turmoil, Merkel has emerged more popular than ever, proving a safe pair of hands as the crisis felled leaders in France, Greece, Italy and Spain.Heh, the leaders in Greece and Italy were *removed* by Merkel, for all practical purposes.
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