September 18, 200521 yr About time the conservative party beats out the socialists somewhere in Europe. Exit Poll: Germans Oust Schroeder's Party Sep 18 12:13 PM US/Eastern ? By DAVID RISING Associated Press Writer BERLIN German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder's government was voted out of office Sunday as conservative challenger Angela Merkel's party led in parliamentary elections, according to an exit poll. The exit poll from ZDF public television showed Merkel's Christian Democrats with 37 percent of the vote and Schroeder's Social Democrats with 33 percent. However, the Christian Democrats' showing was worse than expected and made it uncertain they would win a majority with their preferred coalition partners, the pro-business Free Democrats, and make Merkel the nation's first female chancellor. The vote centered on different visions of Germany's role in the world and how to fix its sputtering economy. Schroeder touted the country's role as a European leader and counterbalance to America, while Merkel pledged to reform the moribund economy and repair ties with Washington.
September 18, 200521 yr Well, this isn't a huge surprise to me, after Schroeder barely won reelection last time, running on an anti-U.S. platform.
September 19, 200521 yr Good. This should help bring Germany and us closer together. Hopefully they can turn around their sorry-ass economy.
September 19, 200521 yr I think this wasn't quite the result the CDU was hoping for. Merkel apparently ran a poor campaign, and Schroeder nearly closed a large gap. Now they're going to have a huge mess on their hands trying to cobble together some kind of majority government.
September 19, 200521 yr Just heard on Fox News that Schroeder was only trailing by 1% and he's protesting the results. :thumbdown
September 19, 200521 yr It's not going to matter. Whatever happens, somebody's going to propose a vote of no confidence in the government before business gets underway. My prediction: Germany's going to have another election within 6 months.
September 19, 200521 yr Just heard on Fox News that Schroeder was only trailing by 1% and he's protesting the results. :thumbdown 953486[/snapback] Hehe... Recount? :mischief
September 19, 200521 yr now all we need is King Chirac of France to lose 953920[/snapback] Don't we all wish...I know I do.
September 20, 200521 yr Yay, someone that can get along with Bush! Let's help Germany take over France. JK. Obviously.
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