GERMAN ELECTION (Running Thread): Schroeder by a Nosehair

Die Welt- translated ^ | 9/22/02 | Die Welt

[CT]

See you are up in Brunswick. So please swing that receiver in the direction of Deutschland.

Its also Oktoberfest. So my (honorary Freeper) cousin, probably already voted for Stoiber, and has gone to have bier!

We will need to rely on you to give us updated coverage. Or anybody else out there that can.

[eabinga]

Note to Florida: Check with Germany to find out how to run a polling station.

Here is an interactive example on what a german ballot looks like. Make your "X" and drop it in the box.

http://www.braunschweig.de/extern/stimmzettel/index.html

[RobFromGa]

The outcome of the vote will likely hinge on whether the former-communist Party of Democratic Socialism wins enough seats for representation in parliament.

I saw this on a German news site. That looks close based on your polling data with a 5% minimum requirement.

[eabinga]

So please swing that receiver in the direction of Deutschland.

Watching live coverage now, just a bunch of talk and no relevant information yet. They are talking about a few local districts now, where the PDS (commies) will probably win a seat (some districts in the east).

[LaGrone]

Looks like Germany may defeat France to become the most Socialist country.

[eabinga]

The outcome of the vote will likely hinge on whether the former-communist Party of Democratic Socialism wins enough seats for representation in parliament.

Yes it is crucial for us that the PDS doesn't achieve the 5%. The PDS is expected to get about 3 seats through local candidates.

[July 4th]

Looks like we'll have a good idea from exit polls in about 25 minutes.

[eabinga]

If Schroeder wins, I support recalling are ambassador to Germany

Keep calm.

This is an interesting poll:

Do you believe the Government's stance on the US war against terrorism, because these statements were made during the elections?

Yes: 38%
No: 58%
No Comment: 4%

[RobFromGa]

What are Sonstige? (undecided?) They are around that 5% mark as well.

[eabinga]

The first results (calculated) should be available at about 12:30 EST

[eabinga]

What are Sonstige? (undecided?) They are around that 5% mark as well.

Basically wasted votes.

There are many more parties on the ballot.

SPD
CDU
CSU
GRÜNE
FDP
PDS
AUFBRUCH
BP
BüSo
CM
DIE FRAUEN
Die Tierschutzpartei
Die Violetten
FAMILIE
GRAUE
HP
KPD
NPD
ödp
PBC
PRG
REP
Schill
Zentrum
Deutschland
DKP
DSU
FP Deutschlands

[eabinga]

Check out the "Purple Party": Alternative Spritual Politics in the New Age.

[thedugal]

Not looking too good.. crossing fingers...

[eabinga]

Things that make you go hmmmm: Bill Clinton's wife's name: Hillary Rodham-Clinton

Gerhard Schröder's wife's name: Doris Schröder-Köpf

Why is it that lefty women like these double names?

Like Hertha Däubler-Gmelin...

[RobFromGa]

update...

Head-on-head-run with the election to the Bundestag

Berlin (dpa) - in a half hour the polling stations for the election to the Bundestag close. Federal returning officer Johann Hahlen proceeds from a smaller participation than before four years. Remarkably strongly this time the briefwahl was used. Altogether were more than 61 million entitled called to deliver their voice. Public opinion analysts count on a head on head running between the red-green Federal Government and the CDU/CSU FDP opposition. The reintroduction of the Party of Democratic Socialism into the Bundestag is still open.

[RobFromGa]

Voting up 8% in Bavaria (Stoiber's home), down 12% in Lower Saxony (Schroeder's home). Down everywhere else besides Bavaria.

[July 4th]

Latest exit polls showing CDU ahead of SPD by 2%, but enough Green votes to make a coalition with SPD. It's still extremely close.

[eabinga]

First prognosis:

Seats:

SPD 239
CDU 252
Green 62
FDP 45
PDS 2

SPD and Greens together have a 1 seat majority so far with 301 seats (BAD!)

[jackbill]

Things that make you go hmmmm:

Gerhard Schröder's wife's name: Doris Schröder-Köpf

Kopf is the German word for Head!!!

Hmmmmm.

Bill Clinton, call your office.