Gransnet forums

News & politics

Elections in Germany today

(125 Posts)
Claremont Sun 23-Feb-25 11:05:28

fingers crossed. Such worrying times.

The Extreme Right in Germany is so reminiscent of 1930s.

And bizarre too, as Weidel is a lesbian who lives with a foreign born non caucasian woman, with two adopted children, who live in ... Switzerland, and not Germany.

Personally I do not mind the sexual orientation of anyone, nor mariages with foreigners- but the Far Right certainly seems to.

But surely someone who aspires to be elected as President of a country, should be resident there!

Hiraeth Sun 23-Feb-25 18:25:03

AfD 🙈

FriedGreenTomatoes2 Sun 23-Feb-25 18:25:20

Re the election in Germany.
Germany and France have nothing to prop up the other 25 now as both countries are themselves struggling.

Barleyfields Sun 23-Feb-25 18:25:38

Perhaps.

GrannyGravy13 Sun 23-Feb-25 18:26:57

I am watching the news, and it could be weeks or even months before a coalition government can be formed.

Maremia Sun 23-Feb-25 18:28:05

We'll know soon. But yes, GrannyGravy13.

Wyllow3 Sun 23-Feb-25 18:37:22

Pretty sure none of the parties want that in the current situation
Hoping for enough numbers with the CDU/CSU and the Social Democrats otherwise they'll have to work with the Greens.

Yes, EU politics won't be the same, but they have good reason atm to want to work together.

Hiraeth Sun 23-Feb-25 18:39:37

I just hope that the AfD will be politically isolated .

eazybee Sun 23-Feb-25 18:41:22

I quote the comments made and taken from the report commissioned by the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) in today's DT:
"the service was institutionally racist, misogynistic and homophobic".It said the service was not diverse enough because the proportion of women and ethnic minorities is not wide enough. "...the diversity of the service needs to be much more reflective of the community it serves.....too many people are being let down."

The report has been produced by an advisory group focused on improving diversity, equality and inclusion. (not identified in the article.)

I doubt if this report will enhance recruitment.

Casdon Sun 23-Feb-25 18:41:46

It said on Reuters that if the FDP get seats, they are the most likely partner to give the three way coalition the mandate to rule - but it’s finely balanced as to whether they will, something about needing to meet a 5% threshold?

Casdon Sun 23-Feb-25 18:42:16

Sorry, that was in response to Wyllow.

MayBee70 Sun 23-Feb-25 18:45:56

I think that Europe has to acknowledge that people do worry about mass migration but without it being based on racism ( which does form the basis of many peoples beliefs but not everybody).To get a grip on migration will take away the life blood of far right parties if it’s done properly.

Wyllow3 Sun 23-Feb-25 18:46:02

That Fire Service Report was a shocking one - incidents of harassment widely reported - and definitely a case for encouraging diversity! Since it's a service where people are filtered and trained as to suitability/ability I don't see the problem with encouraging recruitment.

Wyllow3 Sun 23-Feb-25 18:47:42

Casdon

It said on Reuters that if the FDP get seats, they are the most likely partner to give the three way coalition the mandate to rule - but it’s finely balanced as to whether they will, something about needing to meet a 5% threshold?

The Beeb wasn't sure they'd get enough as yes, they are the obvious choice. I dont know "where they are coming from" politically, you?

Wyllow3 Sun 23-Feb-25 18:51:55

MayBee70

I think that Europe has to acknowledge that people do worry about mass migration but without it being based on racism ( which does form the basis of many peoples beliefs but not everybody).To get a grip on migration will take away the life blood of far right parties if it’s done properly.

Really brings it home that individual countries cant get a grip on it without working together.

Casdon Sun 23-Feb-25 18:52:34

I think our nearest equivalent would be the Lib Dem’s?

Hiraeth Sun 23-Feb-25 19:17:56

Yes the lib democrats are. definitely nearest to theFDP ..They have similar values

Wyllow3 Sun 23-Feb-25 20:06:39

Thank you.

PoliticsNerd Sun 23-Feb-25 20:29:49

LizzieDrip

^”The Extreme Right in Germany is so reminiscent of 1930s”^

Agreed Claremont.

And of course, Hitler was Austrian, not German.

It took him 7 attempts to get German citizenship, after which he could take office.

Romola Sun 23-Feb-25 21:10:12

The SDP, which roughly corresponds to the "soft Labour" in power in the UK, has been haemorrhaging votes to AfD. That party tells workers it can bring back the good times of German economic might. It's not just about immigration. Workers are anxious and attracted by AfD's rosy picture.

Claremont Sun 23-Feb-25 21:14:52

80.5 % have voted against the AfD. And most of the votes they got is from ex East Germany.

Wyllow3 Sun 23-Feb-25 21:16:51

Easy to promise in opposition!

Casdon Sun 23-Feb-25 21:45:03

Romola

The SDP, which roughly corresponds to the "soft Labour" in power in the UK, has been haemorrhaging votes to AfD. That party tells workers it can bring back the good times of German economic might. It's not just about immigration. Workers are anxious and attracted by AfD's rosy picture.

If I’ve understood the political leaning of the parties correctly though, according to the poll predictions more people have voted for the three parties on the left than have for AfD. Die Linke is projected to get 64 seats, and SPD 121 votes?

PoliticsNerd Sun 23-Feb-25 21:54:20

"Meanwhile here in the UK we're lurching further left. Businesses are being told that to secure government contracts they need to demonstrate DEI and net zero." (FriedGreenTomatoes2)

Diversity does not mean compromising skill or safety. Rather, it means finding ways to recruit from a wider talent pool while maintaining high standards.

The goal is to create a society where everyone can succeed and feel valued. It sounds, from your posts, as if this is something you would chose to avoid.

Allira Sun 23-Feb-25 21:56:11

Cossy

Incidentally the first female fire fighter was appointed full time way way back in 1982

www.westyorksfire.gov.uk/news/service-hears-uks-first-female-firefighter

Should women stay at home or just be nurses or typists?

We have many female police, females in the building trade, and many other traditionally male professions, doing just as well as their male colleagues!

Should women stay at home or just be nurses or typists?

What a strange comment.

There are so many jobs and professions which women and men can excel at, but it is a known fact that men, due to hormonal development at puberty, are generally stronger than women and therefore more suited to physically demanding work.

Claremont Sun 23-Feb-25 21:56:25

The divisions are very clear, East Germany has voted for the far right and fascism.

West Germany has voted massively against the AfD.