The conservative Christian Democrats have not only won the
German parliamentary elections, but have become the first German party to gain
a majority in 60 years. Chancellor
Angela Merkel will serve for a third term.
The results
were better than expected for the center-right Christian Democrats, despite the
failure of their coalition partners, the Free Democrats, to meet the 5%
threshold necessary to remain in Parliament.
The conservatives won nearly 43% of the vote.
Merkel was
rewarded for her government’s frugality amidst the European economic crisis,
which is particularly acute among the States belonging to the European Monetary
Union that have adopted the euro as a common currency. The German economy has remained relatively
strong. The German Government has
insisted that weaker members of the union adopt austerity programs to reduce
debt in exchange for loans. Germany has remained a loyal ally of the United States
under the Christian Democrats.
Conservative
parties have won parliamentary victories this month in Australia , Norway
and Germany .
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Update: The latest reports are that although the Christian Democrats gained many seats, they fell just short of an absolute majority, meaning that without their junior coalition partner, they will have to form a grand alliance with the center-left party, as they did in Merkel's first term. The parties largely agree on policy in regard to the European financial crisis.
I'm glad there is still a Christian-Democrat party today in Europe. The election may be a new push forward for not only finances but for the development of better values in the country. I thought they had a Muslim majority in Europe.
Yes, thankfully there are several Christian-Democratic parties in Europe and even around the world, despite the infamous demise of the Christian-Democrats who had ruled Italy from the founding of the Republic until the early 1990s. In addition, there are several parties that are Christian-Democratic in their ideology or affiliation, even though they do not bare the name. Christian Democrats are in power in a number of foreign States.
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