Political compromise may start unrolling in Germany as coalition negotiations commenced Wednesday among rival party leaders. The scenario at the initial meeting surprised the world when German Chancellor Angela Merkel and her Christian Democratic Union (CDU) group embraced members of the Social Democratic Party (SPD). Both groups sat down in one table, ready to arrive at a consensus.
Deep political gap
The political gap that divides partisan politics in Germany is so deep that it seemed unthinkable the nation’s two rival parties would come together and agree to make a compromise. Even superpower countries like the United States and Great Britain might be in disbelief to find this recent development in Germany’s political system. But when the political leaders met on Wednesday to start deliberations, both camps exchanged friendly hugs, signifying their willingness to bury the hatchet and forge a unification process.
Cordial meeting
The atmosphere that prevailed in the first day of negotiations was cordial and relaxed. Some political observers even say the assembly looked like a family gathering where participants hugged, exchanged pleasantries and mingled with one another. No conflict was sensed in the air and not one of those present voiced out hostile words or demonstrated conflict with the others. The meeting took place at the CDU headquarters in Berlin with Merkel acting as host. Around 77 politicians from the two parties attended the council. Negotiations may go on for six weeks.
Time to build personal relations
Andrea Nahles, SPD general secretary said that it is time for German rival parties to start building personal dealings and set another tone of relationship among rival political heads. She also said that the interactions among the two party members was limited to election battle which, according to her, must take a new turn by elevating their association to a different level. Meanwhile, Alexander Dobrindt, secretary general of CSU, sister party to the CDU said it helped that the politicians hugged before sitting down to start formal talks that lasted almost two hours. Mostly procedural matters were discussed in the conference.
Weekly meeting
For six straight weeks, the negotiating groups will hold talks once a week to put down policy agreements. The two panels have 12 working groups that penned proposals to serve as basis for the whole conciliation business. The next meeting is set on October 30 at the SPD headquarters. European issues will top the agenda in the next forum. German ally groups are looking forward to the inclusion of SPD in government management with the hope that easier means of treating the Southern European members will be formulated. From all indications, softer measures are likely to take place.
Expected changes
Merkel has supported stricter rules in financial transactions such as those concerning European tax laws, regulations on creditors and weakening bank systems. From the ongoing talks, SPD is likewise expected to push the same measures. Other issues to be tackled in the negotiations are the setting of minimum wage, amendment to renewables law to stop the increase in energy costs, allocating finances to improve education, infrastructure and research. These concerns are among the top priorities of the SPD.
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