Merkel set to replace Schröder as German leader

Financial Times ^ | October 7, 2005 | Hugh Williamson and Bertrand Benoit

[Mr. XYZ]

Merkel set to replace Schröder as German leader

By Hugh Williamson in Berlin and Bertrand Benoit in Frankfurt

Published: October 7 2005 19:41 | Last updated: October 7 2005 19:41

Christian Democrat leader Angela Merkel is set to replace Gerhard Schröder as Germany's next chancellor, in a political deal that will see the departure of Mr Schröder from the national political stage, senior members of the ruling Social Democrats have told the Financial Times.

Ms Merkel's expected victory in the battle for the chancellorship is likely to be announced on Monday, following a meeting on Sunday evening in Berlin between Mr Schröder and Ms Merkel, according to the SPD politicians, who spoke on condition of anonymity. The two leaders met on Thursday evening for four hours to agree the framework of a SPD-CDU grand coalition, but refused on Friday to disclose details. The talks also include SPD leader Franz Müntefering, and Bavarian premier Edmund Stoiber.

[winner3000]

I hope the price was not too steep.

[EagleUSA]

At least Merkel is not a frothing socialist...(or is he??) :-)

Nerd Power!!!

[domenad]

Nice to see anti-Americanism doesn't keep you in office forever.

[TheBigB]

At least Merkel is not a frothing socialist...(or is he??) :-) ?

Doubt it. I also know that "he" is a "she."

[Soul Seeker]

certainly it's important to know what was compromised, but, at least Schroder will finally be kicked out. That, at least, is good.

Huge victory for the Coalition of the Willing.

[ex-Texan]

I'll believe this only when it's official. The Financial Times has taken to publishing inaccurate reports recently on Germany. All U.K. reports are filled with the reporters' own private expectations. Most recent report out of Germany say Schroeder and Merkel will meet again next week to discuss a power sharing arrangement. German politics are still deadlocked. Schroeder is resisting all efforts to remove him as Chancellor. Read reports?

[Wiz]

Are you K? I wonder what made the account banned. It's bad to see the Serpent's site down years ago.

[Zetman]

The election yielded a hung parliament but left the CDU holding four more seats than the SPD. Ms Merkel promptly claimed the chancellorship but Mr Schröder, citing his party's unexpectedly strong performance, refused to stand aside.

Reminds me of Al Gore !!

:)

[Michael81Dus]

The price will probably be two more Ministries for the SPD. So in a government of 14 Ministries plus Chancellor, the SPD would have 8 Ministries, and the CDU 6 + the Chancellor. A majority in the governmemt for a party that has four seats less in parliament than the party which has a minority in the government seems not good at all.

[Michael81Dus]

Schröder is history, I assure you.

A personal expectation from a German CDU-member and -activist.

[ex-Texan]

Michael81Dus -- I sincerely hope you are correct. But Herr Schröder is not acting like an ex-Chancellor. He is acting like he holds the keys to the kingdom and is not about to give up gracefully. Today he flew to Russia to meet with Putin. Regardless of what Bush says, Putin is acting like a king maker not an ally.

Germany's political future is still in doubt. Schröder and Merkel have a meeting scheduled for late Sunday to discuss power sharing. These talks may be doomed to failure. Schröder has the ability to sabotage any 'agreement' he makes with Merkel. Schröder flew to Russia for a two day meeting with Putin. Meeting with the Russkies does not bode well for a coalition government with Merkel as Chancellor.

Schröder wants firebrand left winger to lead Germany. Communist and other left wing parties are still pushing for Schröder. Most Recent Reports from Germany indicated the deadlock is not abating.

[counterpunch]

Nerd Power!!!

I think you got Merkel and Urkel confused.

    

[counterpunch]

Herr Schröder is not acting like an ex-Chancellor.
------------
Today he flew to Russia to meet with Putin.

He was just dropped in to say "goodbye."

[ex-Texan]

Schröder has the ability to sabotage any 'agreement' he makes with Merkel . . .

A series of union strikes or possibly even a general strike after Merkel is sworn in as Chancellor. Anything is possible. Russia did not tear down the Berlin Wall to make nice with the U.S. They tore down the wall to subvert the government in Germany by means of elections. Schröder is Putin's man in Berlin. What happens next was designed by the Russkies.

Sie können das nehmen der Bank, nicht wahr?

[Michael81Dus]

As it looks for now, the talks will be a success. The SPD gets 8 Ministers, the CDU 4, the CSU 2 plus the CDU gets the Chancellor and the Chancellery Chief (rank of a Minister), so it´s 8:8, which seems to be fair for a 35:34% difference between the two parliamentary groups.

I agree with you that Putin is a dangerous man, and that he acts more like a king (but not like a king maker). Putin has very little influence on Germany, but of course he´s trying to increase it.

We better watch the Kremlins actions!

[EagleUSA]

I think you got Merkel and Urkel confused...
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Yes and No (chuckle) Thanks for the pics!!!