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Back at It Again: German Leaders Try to Form a Government Merkel and Other German Leaders Try, Again, to Form a Government
(2 days later)
BERLIN — Six days of meetings, three parties and a news blackout: If all goes well in meetings that start this weekend, that’s the combination that could give Germany a new government by March.BERLIN — Six days of meetings, three parties and a news blackout: If all goes well in meetings that start this weekend, that’s the combination that could give Germany a new government by March.
That’s the best-case situation, as leaders of Chancellor Angela Merkel’s conservative Christian Democrats, their Bavaria-only sister party, the Christian Social Union, and their previous partners, the Social Democrats, sit down on Sunday for a new round of talks intended to hammer out the basis of a new government.That’s the best-case situation, as leaders of Chancellor Angela Merkel’s conservative Christian Democrats, their Bavaria-only sister party, the Christian Social Union, and their previous partners, the Social Democrats, sit down on Sunday for a new round of talks intended to hammer out the basis of a new government.
More than three months after the Sept. 24 election that left Ms. Merkel and her party weakened, the chancellor is under pressure and taking no chances. The goal is to hold “tight and productive” talks in a spirit of trust and optimism — the news blackout is aimed at preventing a repeat of a breakdown last November, when the Free Democrats walked out on the chancellor.More than three months after the Sept. 24 election that left Ms. Merkel and her party weakened, the chancellor is under pressure and taking no chances. The goal is to hold “tight and productive” talks in a spirit of trust and optimism — the news blackout is aimed at preventing a repeat of a breakdown last November, when the Free Democrats walked out on the chancellor.
Yet each side has its doubts, especially the Social Democrats, whose supporters remain unconvinced that a third government with the party that was previously its main rival is in its best interest. Here is a look at some of the issues that could prove to be the most divisive.Yet each side has its doubts, especially the Social Democrats, whose supporters remain unconvinced that a third government with the party that was previously its main rival is in its best interest. Here is a look at some of the issues that could prove to be the most divisive.
The huge influx of migrants has emerged as a polarizing issue in Germany and contributed to the drop of 14 percentage points in support overall for the negotiating parties. Many of those voters switched to the far-right Alternative for Germany, which campaigned on an anti-immigrant platform.The huge influx of migrants has emerged as a polarizing issue in Germany and contributed to the drop of 14 percentage points in support overall for the negotiating parties. Many of those voters switched to the far-right Alternative for Germany, which campaigned on an anti-immigrant platform.
Immigration remains one of the biggest sticking points in the talks. Conservatives and Social Democrats are split over the number of people who should be allowed to enter the country and to apply for protection on humanitarian grounds. Ms. Merkel and the Bavarians are holding to a limit of 200,000 applications, but the Social Democrats are opposed to any restrictions.Immigration remains one of the biggest sticking points in the talks. Conservatives and Social Democrats are split over the number of people who should be allowed to enter the country and to apply for protection on humanitarian grounds. Ms. Merkel and the Bavarians are holding to a limit of 200,000 applications, but the Social Democrats are opposed to any restrictions.
The Social Democrats support legislation that would allow Germany to admit qualified immigrants to fill thousands of openings in companies and factories. The official in charge of Germany’s national labor agency has said the country will need 300,000 qualified immigrants annually to fill the gaps, because record employment has made it difficult to find enough workers. Conservatives are reluctant to back any new measures that would allow more foreigners to enter the country.The Social Democrats support legislation that would allow Germany to admit qualified immigrants to fill thousands of openings in companies and factories. The official in charge of Germany’s national labor agency has said the country will need 300,000 qualified immigrants annually to fill the gaps, because record employment has made it difficult to find enough workers. Conservatives are reluctant to back any new measures that would allow more foreigners to enter the country.
The Social Democrats would like to replace the current mix of private and public providers with a universal system financed by taxpayers, similar to Britain’s National Health Service. That would end what they see as effectively a two-class system, but Ms. Merkel’s conservatives want to preserve the current system.The Social Democrats would like to replace the current mix of private and public providers with a universal system financed by taxpayers, similar to Britain’s National Health Service. That would end what they see as effectively a two-class system, but Ms. Merkel’s conservatives want to preserve the current system.
All parties agree, however, on the need to improve care for nearly three million people, mostly older Germans who are dependent on care, either in their own homes or in facilities.All parties agree, however, on the need to improve care for nearly three million people, mostly older Germans who are dependent on care, either in their own homes or in facilities.
Martin Schulz, the leader of the Social Democrats, has called for a “United States of Europe” by 2025, a notion that conservatives have rejected as unrealistic.Martin Schulz, the leader of the Social Democrats, has called for a “United States of Europe” by 2025, a notion that conservatives have rejected as unrealistic.
One sticking point will be a common approach on changes to the eurozone, along the lines proposed by President Emmanuel Macron of France, who is seeking a shared budget and governing structure.One sticking point will be a common approach on changes to the eurozone, along the lines proposed by President Emmanuel Macron of France, who is seeking a shared budget and governing structure.
Despite reluctance in her party, Ms. Merkel understands the need to maintain a strong Franco-German alliance.Despite reluctance in her party, Ms. Merkel understands the need to maintain a strong Franco-German alliance.
The German Constitution gives states jurisdiction over schools and universities within their boundaries, but the Social Democrats want to change that law, eliminating a byzantine financing structure.The German Constitution gives states jurisdiction over schools and universities within their boundaries, but the Social Democrats want to change that law, eliminating a byzantine financing structure.
That, in turn, would let more federal money flow directly to schools, allowing them to hire more teachers and improve their infrastructure. Conservatives want to increase education spending, but within the framework of the current system.That, in turn, would let more federal money flow directly to schools, allowing them to hire more teachers and improve their infrastructure. Conservatives want to increase education spending, but within the framework of the current system.