Posted on 09/23/2005 8:22:05 PM PDT by indcons
Germany's new Left party, which could play a crucial role in deciding the next chancellor, faced acute embarrassment yesterday amid claims that at least seven of its MPs had collaborated with the Stasi, the East German secret police.
The head of Germany's state-held Stasi archive, Marianne Birthler, said she had documents to prove the MPs had worked as "inoffizielle mitarbeiter" (unofficial collaborators). The public had a right to know which MPs had collaborated, she said, adding: "It's a question of trust."
The revelation came as the Left party held its first meeting as a parliamentary group after Sunday's inconclusive general election. It is made up of members from the Party of Democratic Socialism, the successor to East Germany's Communist party, and a new west German leftwing alliance, the Workers and Social Justice party. It won 8.7% of the vote, coming second in eastern Germany.
With neither Gerhard Schröder's Social Democrats nor Angela Merkel's conservatives able to form a government on their own, the Left party's MPs could play a crucial role in a secret ballot for chancellor. Some have already hinted they might back Mr Schröder.
Asked whether it was true seven MPs had worked with the Stasi, spokesman Hendrik Thalheim told the Guardian: "We are not interested in such one-sided reports. We are meeting for the first time today. People are interested in other things."
(Excerpt) Read more at guardian.co.uk ...
Liberals worked for the Commie secret police? We're supposed to be surprised by this?
I'll wager that most Krauts won't give a damn, so long as their monthly welfare check continues to arrive on time.
Germany's new Left party, which could play a crucial role in deciding the next chancellor, faked acute embarrassment yesterday amid claims that at least seven of its MPs had collaborated with the Stasi, the East German secret police.
LOL
The liberal worm has turned.
"My gracious liege, this too much lenity
And harmful pity must be laid aside.
To whom do lions cast their gentle looks?
Not to the beast that would usurp their den.
Whose hand is that the forest bear doth lick?
Not his that spoils her young before her face.
Who 'scapes the lurking serpent's mortal sting?
Not he that sets his foot upon her back.
The smallest worm will turn being trodden on,
And doves will peck in safeguard of their brood."-- William Shakespeare, Henry VI, Part 3, Act II
So, the worm that turns is the formerly downtrodden. In this case, a conservative worm. =)
PS. Not a big deal, I just felt like explaining the origin of the phrase! Actually, the proverb somewhat precedes Shakespeare, with the earliest recorded version in 1546: "Tread a woorme on the tayle and it must turne agayne."
"The wheel has turned. It's time for them to go."
"I'll wager that most Krauts won't give a damn, so long as their monthly welfare check continues to arrive on time."
Same as the Canadians with their corrupt, criminal liberal government. Sad, but I bet few on the left will care as long as their side wins.
Personally, I am opposed to Angela forming a government with this result because it will be a WEAK center/right government with no power to reform.
I want Schroeder to run Germany more into the ground so that there is a mandate for reform in the next election.
I'll wager that most Krauts won't give a damn, so long as their monthly welfare check continues to arrive on time.
BINGO!!!
I read in the English version of Der Spiegel that if gridlock continues and neither Schroeder nor Merkel can form a government with the smaller parties, CDU and SPD may form a "grand coalition," with one very important stipulation. Schroeder would step aside as Chancellor as long as CDU agrees to name someone other than Merkel to replace him. I don't know how effective a CDU-SPD 50/50 coalition would be, probably a lot gridlock.
A lot of the usual ignorance about Germany on this thread, fortunately redeemed by a couple of sensible and thoughtful posts, otherwise I'd have wasted my time completely by looking at this thread.
Those of you who don't really know anything about Germany except the old clichés about Nazis would be better off reading some background information instead of posting inane comments here.
BTW, the fact that the Left party is full of informers and stooges of the old regime is no surprise whatsoever and indeed is the reason why no other party will have anything to do with them. From the conservative viewpoint, they are a godsend, as the votes cast for them prevented Schröder's SPD from winning a great victory!
It will be useless. Better new elections. Even a clear win for SPD is better, cause then CDU can run effective opposition politics.
Point out the Nazi comments on the thread. I don't see any.
Not here, but on plenty of others.
That is the problem. Gridlock won't advance the conservative movement (however small, slow and painful it is in Germany).
Let the looney socialists run for a while more.
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