Beyond Domestic Politics: Energy Policy in the Transatlantic Relationship
On June 18, Philipp Rösler, Chairman of the FDP and German Minister of Economics and Technology, opened a visit to Washington, DC, with a speech on the three issues at …
Romney Electioneering Abroad at Odds with Trending Approach in Europe
Determining the economic policy approach of the United States for the next four years, Americans have the opportunity in November to remain with President Barack Obama or switch to Republican …
European Elections
There is much to digest after elections in a number of European countries this past weekend. Much has been written about the potential impact of the French vote on the …
Elections in Schleswig-Holstein
Germany’s next regional election in Schleswig Holstein on May 6 is like the weather on the northern German coasts: quick to change and unpredictable. There are multiple political equations possible …
Primaries and Caucuses in the U.S. Presidential Election
Before American voters take to the polls on November 6, they will first narrow the field of candidates in a series of primaries, caucuses, and elections held in each of …
Recent Authors
AGI provides knowledge, insights, and networks as tools to solve the challenges ahead.
Support Our WorkElections in Berlin…
State parliamentary elections will be taking place in Berlin this Sunday, September 18th, and polls by Forschungsgruppe Wahlen show that Chancellor Merkel and her CDU-FDP coalition could take yet another …
Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Wahl: der general Trend mit einer beunruhigenden Überraschung
Jede Wahl in Deutschland hat ihren Reiz (nicht nur für Wahlforscher) und die Wahl in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern war natürlich eine wichtige Abstimmung der Bürger über ihre Landesregierung und das dortige politische …
Elections in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern
The results from last Saturday’s parliamentary elections in the German state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern won’t have any major consequences for Angela Merkel’s governing coalition, or Europe for that matter, argues AICGS contributor Dr. Dieter Roth. Voter support for Germany’s far-right National Democratic Party (NPD), on the other hand, should not be overlooked.
The May 22 Election in Bremen – AGI Coverage
Another Land election, another historical result for the Greens: For the first time ever, the Greens bested the CDU, coming in a strong second in the May 22 elections. The SPD will retain power in coalition with the Greens, but the headline remains the Greens’ success and the failure of the CDU and FDP in the smallest of the Bundesländer. Pundits have labeled Bremen as the ‘final warning’ for Chancellor Merkel’s federal coalition ahead of the 2013 federal election, further showing the CDU’s weakness in large cities and the lasting impact of Fukushima on German voters.
A Green Future? Implications of the 2011 Land Elections in Rhineland-Palatinate and Baden-Württemberg
In the case of the recent Land elections in Rhineland-Palatinate and Baden-Württemberg, the use of the word ‘sensational,’ for once, seems justified, writes Dr. Simon Green, Professor of Politics at Aston University, UK, and a frequent contributor to the Advisor. The results show that the Greens are the party of the moment, Dr. Green contends, but the realities of governing in Baden-Württemberg will present a challenge and at the federal level, Chancellor Merkel’s position continues to look somewhere between safe and unassailable.
The Greens’ Success in Baden-Württemberg
The CDU has been in charge in Baden-Württemberg either solely or with a coalition since the 1950s and a CDU loss of leadership here would be a serious blow to Merkel’s position as chairman of the party. Up until recently, the CDU has been in good position to maintain power with Minister-President Stefan Mappus and an economy that is doing very well given its strong manufacturing base. However, nuclear power concerns after Japan will dominate the debate, and the Greens look poised to potentially have their first-ever Minister-President in Winfried Kretschmann.
“King Kurt” Reigns in Rhineland-Palatinate
Mostly overshadowed by the same-day election in Baden-Württemberg, the neighboring state of Rhineland-Palatinate has been in the hands of the Social Democrats (in coalition with the FDP until 2006) since the early 1990s. Minister-President Kurt Beck remains popular and the state is also doing well economically; booming high-tech and pharmaceutical companies result in Rhineland-Palatinate having the highest rate of exports among all Länder. Still, this tumultuous election year shows that nothing can be taken for granted, and this election will also come down to the wire.
