elections

Politics

German coalition squabbles over SPD presidential pick

The Social Democratic leadership unanimously agreed in Berlin on Monday to make Gesine Schwan the party's candidate in next year's presidential race, deepening a rift in Germany's ruling coalition.

Elections

Hamburg on verge of 'black-green' coalition

In the first political alliance of its kind in Germany, the environmentalist Greens announced on Wednesday they would enter a coalition with Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservatives in Hamburg.

Elections

Conservatives hold Hamburg despite leftward lurch

<b>German Chancellor Angela Merkel's Christian Democrats (CDU) remained the strongest party in Hamburg state elections on Sunday, but the conservatives suffered losses amid a swing to the left among voters ahead of national elections in 2009.</b>

Elections

Jamaican government popular with youth in CDU and FDP

The youth organizations of the CDU (centre-right) and FDP (centre/liberal) parties have called upon their party elders to form a so-called Jamaican coalition government.

Politics

Coalition mayhem in Hesse

Politicians in the German state of Hesse have still not formed a government due to disagreement between the parties. A coalition has yet to be formed along traditional lines and the CDU and SPD refuse to form a grand coalition emulating that of the federal government.