German Election: The Socialist Come-Back

Newspapers report that the SPD seems to have made a remarkable comeback over the past month. The Conservatives (CDU/CSU) blew a massive lead, and even in coalition with the Liberals they no longer seem likely to gain a majority.

This could mean a grand coalition between the Conservatives and the SPD, or maybe the SPD momentum will continue, and Gerhard Schroeder will pull off an incredible upset.

I should be happy. The SPD is committed to most of the things I find worthwhile in this country: a strong social welfare system, more or less universal health coverage, unionism, affordable daycare. The Conservatives are wedded to a suspiciously American-looking vision of economic reform. They want greater "labor flexibility" (companies should be able to fire people at will), a simpler tax code (a big break for the rich, a smaller break for the middle class, and higher consumption taxes for everyone), welfare costs should be contained (toss people off the rolls when they won't work).

But it's really hard to get excited about any continuing roll for the SPD in government. They're sooooo sleazy. Schroeder seems like a naked opportunist, a pure politician in the model of Slick Willie Clinton at his worst. Overall the SPD seems less interested in helping the little guy, than in preventing change. Meanwhile, the economy is a mess; the unions seem narrowly interested in protecting their own; foreign policy lurches from one embarassment to another.

Good thing I can't vote.