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"Keep it up" with red-green-red in Berlin: Aren't they even ashamed?

2023-02-20T12:55:16.788Z


Despite the electoral defeat in Berlin, the Reds and Greens want to continue governing because that's the way politics works. It's true: That's how politics breaks down.


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Yarash, Giffey

Photo: Jörg Carstensen / dpa

There are political sayings that are usually very close to the limit.

"Majority is majority" is such a saying.

"That's just power politics" another or: "That's how democracy works".

The resigned, the compliant, the lack of interest in the consequences usually make you sad.

In the red-green-red Berlin individual case these days, they are simple, excuse me, to vomit.

Ironically, those who otherwise sounded the big moral horn are now shrugging their shoulders in reference to professional-political usages.

But that's just a scam: politics can be like that, sure.

But only if you want them that way.

Decency is doable, Mr. Neighbor.

So the SPD, the Greens and the Left want to continue governing in Berlin.

In fact, they have a – shrunken – majority.

That's enough for them, everything else seems meaningless.

That the CDU has improved its result by 50 percent.

That it is ten points ahead of second place and has taken almost all constituencies from an SPD that had its historically worst result.

Two-thirds said in a Forsa post-election poll for RTL that the CDU has the mandate to form a government.

doesn't matter.

There is a left-wing majority, and that is why one only pretends to negotiate with the victor.

The »last generation« can only dream of the stuff with which the SPD and the Greens stick themselves to their chairs.

"Majority is majority", that's what the CDU should say in East Germany and govern with the AfD.

In terms of content, that would probably not be an insurmountable problem, because the AfD would still give away their very last brown shirt if they were only allowed to participate.

But something in particular keeps the CDU from doing so: it is decency and it is the fear of public thrashing if they fail to do so.

Majority is more than math. But if that only applies to the right of center, the left-wing double standard is the most brazen.

That's why I find it disturbing how some colleagues take pride in knowing a little bit of political algebra and outweigh their sense of duty in adopting the view of ordinary people.

Before and after the election, frustration and protest against a (city) state that didn't work was palpable.

Who gets bogged down in left-green ideological odds and ends, while administration and transport are collapsing, schools are rotting away, apartments and security are becoming luxuries for higher earners.

Only 24 percent of Berlin's eligible voters were satisfied with the work of the government, which wants to continue because two parties are too lazy to open up alternatives.

How does politics work?

I say: This is how it breaks.

It becomes completely grotesque when the assembled left wants to rub the many votes for the CDU without further ado: they were "only protest votes".

But against whom, please, if not against a dilettante state government and an SPD that has run its course after 22 years at the top?

Masses of voices against the government are supposed to legitimize the continuation of this very government – ​​how stupid do you want to come across to people?

Instead, one could be grateful to the CDU.

She has done what is constantly being asked of her: the party has tied the protest voters of the center to itself, otherwise they would have attached themselves to the AfD and raised it to double digits.

The Berlin CDU was able to do this because they don't want to be as hip as the hipsters would like them to be - of course without ever wanting to vote for them or form a coalition with them.

more on the subject

  • Government formation: Berlin SPD invites to exploratory talks

  • Berlin election chaos: why vote? A column by Sabine Rennefanz

  • Conditions in Berlin: Incapacitate this city! A column by Nikolaus Blome

After the election, the blacks have done their duty.

And it goes without saying that the Left Party is given preference, although, like the AfD, it would largely prefer to lick Vladimir Putin's boots today rather than tomorrow.

Is that how democracy works?

That is frivolously under-complex in times when democracy is under pressure in Europe as well.

It is not the first time in history that the runner-up has led the government, it is said to put this rogue play into perspective.

That's true, but after a certain lead, everyone gets the feeling: Now it's getting obscene.

Is this point five, seven, ten or twenty percentage points ahead?

Everyone has to know that for themselves, but everyone has a feeling for it.

And that means: There is this limit, and the moment on this limit is that of decency.

Democracy thrives on compliance with those rules that cannot be sued for anywhere.

Decency is such a rule.

Is that naive and unrealistic?

No, it's not.

Morality and decency characterize politics and the everyday life of all politicians.

In almost every case of misconduct, they are the most important benchmark, the central hinge between behavioral assessment, credibility assessment and, if necessary, resignation.

In addition, a particularly high dose of morality is currently impregnating the major factual issues.

Minister Baerbock has charged German foreign policy with it, and climate activists with their radical uncompromising nature.

In short: the shrugging of the shoulders of the SPD and the Greens is a revealing cheek, blind to even the most serious consequences.

But the federal chairmen are avoiding a courageous intervention.

And in Berlin, the two parties have rocked so much that they are no longer ashamed.

Source: spiegel

All news articles on 2023-02-20

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