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Germany begins voting with Merkel set for third term
afp ^ | September 22, 2013 | Kate Millar

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 ...


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; Germany; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: angelamerkel; germany

1 posted on 09/22/2013 1:26:13 AM PDT by Berlin_Freeper
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To: Berlin_Freeper
Under her watch, Germany has evolved into the undisputed economic leader of Europe, a country that has used its power over struggling countries to push for fundamental reforms and greater austerity. At the same time, Germany has remained deeply skeptical of the value of foreign military interventions, sitting out the NATO action in Libya two years ago and, at least for a while, holding back this month from signing on to an international condemnation of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad for his regime’s alleged use of chemical weapons in August.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel, an unflappable pastor’s daughter, is closing in on a third term in Sunday’s general election, cementing her title as the world’s most powerful woman. So strong is Merkel’s 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 Berlin’s main train station featuring only a picture of the chancellor’s hands folded in her trademark diamond-shape gesture. Quite simply, the mighty Merkel is the message.

2 posted on 09/22/2013 1:38:06 AM PDT by Berlin_Freeper
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To: Berlin_Freeper

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.


3 posted on 09/22/2013 1:57:36 AM PDT by pepsionice
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To: pepsionice

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.


4 posted on 09/22/2013 2:03:33 AM PDT by Berlin_Freeper
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To: Berlin_Freeper

“Yes, it will be close,” ... “I said right from the start that every vote counts.” - Angela Merkel


5 posted on 09/22/2013 2:51:27 AM PDT by Berlin_Freeper
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To: Berlin_Freeper
An election poster of Angela Merkel photographed through a car window (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

Assciated Press

6 posted on 09/22/2013 3:07:46 AM PDT by Berlin_Freeper
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To: Berlin_Freeper
How Germany's Bundestag election works

"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."

New Angela Merkel waxwork unveiled in Berlin

7 posted on 09/22/2013 3:14:05 AM PDT by Berlin_Freeper
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To: Berlin_Freeper

Just got an email from my wife who went with her mother to vote for Angela Merkel:

Omw with food:)


8 posted on 09/22/2013 3:35:57 AM PDT by Berlin_Freeper
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To: Berlin_Freeper

Well, I’m glad she is reluctant to get involved in Syria.


9 posted on 09/22/2013 4:07:18 AM PDT by gattaca ("Nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal." Thomas Jefferson)
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To: pepsionice

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.


10 posted on 09/22/2013 4:31:10 AM PDT by AnAmericanAbroad (It's all bread a nd circuses for the future prey of the Morlocks.)
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To: Berlin_Freeper

“Germany has had four good years” ... “When we look around in Europe, we know that is anything but automatic.” - Angela Merkel


11 posted on 09/22/2013 5:29:04 AM PDT by Berlin_Freeper
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To: Berlin_Freeper

“We have to continue on this course,” ... “Stabilization in Europe is in the fundamental interests of Germans and secures German jobs.” - Angela Merkel


12 posted on 09/22/2013 5:39:46 AM PDT by Berlin_Freeper
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To: Berlin_Freeper
German Election 2013

13 posted on 09/22/2013 5:58:34 AM PDT by Berlin_Freeper
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To: Berlin_Freeper

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

Results for #BTW13

14 posted on 09/22/2013 6:10:06 AM PDT by Berlin_Freeper
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To: Berlin_Freeper
German Election: Live Report
15 posted on 09/22/2013 6:31:25 AM PDT by Berlin_Freeper
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To: Berlin_Freeper
Live Coverage: Join Us As Germany Votes on Sunday
16 posted on 09/22/2013 6:32:40 AM PDT by Berlin_Freeper
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To: Berlin_Freeper; martin_fierro; Charles Henrickson

2013: Cast a Vote .... Drink a Beer

17 posted on 09/22/2013 9:09:53 AM PDT by mikrofon (Ich bin ein Bierlover)
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To: Berlin_Freeper

Would love to be at Oktoberfest tonight in the tents!

Ein Prosit, ein Prosit, der Gemuetlikeit!


18 posted on 09/22/2013 10:28:38 AM PDT by Gumdrop
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To: AdmSmith; AnonymousConservative; Berosus; bigheadfred; Bockscar; cardinal4; ColdOne; ...

Thanks Berlin_Freeper.
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.


19 posted on 09/22/2013 4:37:36 PM PDT by SunkenCiv (It's no coincidence that some "conservatives" echo the hard left.)
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