It`s the German economy, stupid!
Germans head to the polls Sept. 18 to elect a new government - a year earlier than planned. Why did Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder call early elections? Germany`s lethargic economy - and his unpopular and so far unsuccessful plan to revive it - brought his approval ratings to rock bottom this year. In May, voters in North Rhine Westphalia showed just how frustrated they were, voting his Social Democratic Party (SDP) out of power for the first time in almost 40 years. Citing his inability to govern, Mr. Schroeder took a surprise step by calling for federal elections one year early. Authorities approved the move, and on Sept. 18, Germans will vote on who they want to tackle the challenges ahead.
It may be too close to call a likely winner yet. Upon his reelection in 2002, Schroeder promised economic reforms. Earlier this year, his government passed Agenda 2010, which cut benefits for the long-term unemployed and reduced health-care subsidies. But Germany`s deficit continued to rise and the measures ended up costing billions of euros more than expected. Programs initiated by his government to spark job growth fizzled and, as the number of unemployed climbed to nearly 5 million, his approval rating sank. Still, Schroeder is unparalleled in German politics in his ability to charm a crowd. Cut from the same cloth as Bill Clinton and Tony Blair, the charismatic politician has grown impressively into his role as a statesman while maintaining his connection to the common man. Unfortunately for him, Germans vote for parties, not candidates, so Schroeder`s 17-point lead over conservative (Christian Democratic Union) challenger Angela Merkel in popularity polls means little.
After the 1998 elections, Merkel, a Protestant, became the unlikely leader of a party with Roman Catholic roots and an old-boy`s network. As the opposition leader, she raised eyebrows by supporting the US decision to invade Iraq, and attacked Schroeder for not going far enough in reforming the economy. A team of stylists and PR advisers has since freshened up her gray image. Campaign posters show a smiling, well-coiffed Merkel, and her campaign team has started playing the Rolling Stones ballad "Angie", after her stump speeches. If she wins, she will be the first female chancellor in German history.
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