New Expectations for a New Coalition

With the center-right Christian Democratic Party (CDU) and the business-friendly and U.S.-friendly Free Democratic Party (FDP) preparing to form a center-right coalition government, Chancellor Merkel's second four-year term is seen as being markedly different from her first. Previously, her coalition was formed with the Social Democratic Party (SPD), which supports strong worker protection, minimum wages and a robust system of social welfare. In contrast, the FDP champions the reduction of taxes, less government regulation and constriction of private enterprises. With this new center-right coalition, Chancellor Merkel should be more successful in pinning the national aspirations of her coalition to the greater fabric of the international community. Specifically, the expectations are that Germany will have a stronger voice and greater influence during international deliberations of the war in Afghanistan, the current global financial crisis, and climate change.

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