Second, the SPD has absolutely and categorically ruled out a minority government "tolerated" by the Linke. That's not an option at all.
Basically, there are four options on the table:
So the most likely options are the first two. Which of these comes through just simply depends on which party garners the strongest faction in the Bundestag, which won't be decided for another two weeks, until Dresden 160 votes.
It's also quite possible that an eventual SPD-CDU/CSU coalition would elect neither Schroeder nor Merkel Chancellor, but somebody else from either party. If the SPD comes up tops, that might be Wolfgang Clement, currently economy secretary. If the CDU/CSU prevails, it might be Stoiber or - my worst fear - Roland Koch, asshat Ministerpraesident of the state of Hessia. If you can't convince them, confuse them. (Harry S. Truman)
I respectfully disagree though, on the point that Sunday's vote can not be interpreted in favour of a status-quo with regard to power-change.
The overall balance in the German Bundestag between the two alternative government-coalitions, a centre-left and a centre-right has not changed, even though votes seem to have shifted from CDU/CSU to FDP, and from SPD to the new Left-party.
After Sunday's election-result, the majority of the representatives in the Bundestag, still are to the left of centre.
On the basis of this fact, I think it is relevant to point out that the voters have given no message of power-change, rather a message of adjustment of policy, a policy of moderate pace on the reform of the German economy. Bitsofnews.com Giving you the latest bits.
