[Betaille]

I think that come election day, the Social Democrats will have a turnout problem. That's how it is with governments presiding over high unemployment. They often perform decently in polls, but turnout collapses on election day (see: Jimmy Carter election of 1980).

[Praxeologue]

This looks like AFP spin/wishful thinking.

The Merkel coalition was always at +/- 48% and Schroeder isn't going into a coalition with the Communists. There will not be any "unwieldy grand coalition". Half the seats are proportionate and half winner takes all.

The intent of the article seems to be to sow doubt among the undecideds about Markel's judgement.

It's interesting how the German MSM does spin compared to ours. Theirs is more subtle , but no less disingenuous.

[Republican Red]

Friedrich Merz

Is that German for Fred Mertz?

[BushisTheMan]

If Schroeder wins again, Germany can go to H*ll.

[Nicholas Conradin]

Kirchhof, who has admitted he has been shocked by the personal attacks he has received since entering the political arena

Welcome to the 20th Century, Herr Kirchhof. And things are even worse here in the 21st.

Seriously, how can anyone be shocked by personal attacks? Was Rathergate covered in Germany?