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Now, while Köhler has his majority, the Grand Coalition parties are losing their majority in the upper house (Bundesrat). And the FDP, the CSU's likely Bavarian coalition partner, is threatening to block Grand Coalition legislation (which they could do if they do get into the government).

At the same time, the Bavarian SPD is at least doing as if they think there is some chance of a coalition without the CSU (E.g. SPD+Greens+FDP+Free Voters).

*Lunatic*, n.
One whose delusions are out of fashion.

by DoDo on Mon Sep 29th, 2008 at 06:46:35 AM EST
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Who are the 'Free Voters' and what do they want?

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by A swedish kind of death on Mon Sep 29th, 2008 at 11:22:57 AM EST
[ Parent ]
Basically, a state-wide association of independents.  You can run in German elections without being a party -- being a civic initiative is enough, and if enough of these allies themselves across several election districts, they can run a 'party' list, too. There are local Free Voters' groups at several places, and they had some successes in local elections, but this is the first time they made it in a regional (state) election.

For more, see discussion in yesterday's OT.

*Lunatic*, n.
One whose delusions are out of fashion.

by DoDo on Mon Sep 29th, 2008 at 11:46:09 AM EST
[ Parent ]

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