Grassroots Democracy-Pro and Con

After the German elections there was no majority winner despite the fact that the CDU/CSU (Christian Democratic Union and Christian Social Union (centre-right parties) garnered approximately 42% of the vote.  Their more normal coalition partner, the FDP (Free Democratic Party-also centre-right) failed to make it past the 5% hurdle which is there to ensure that there are not a myriad of splinter parties that allow the tail to wag the proverbial dog.

Instead, the CDU/CSU was faced with either joining up with the Left-highly unlikely- who had 8.6% or with the Greens-my choice-who had 8.4%.  In the event they decided to create what is called a Grand Coalition consisting of the two main blocs- the CDU/CSU and the SPD (Social Democrats- centre-left) who won 26%.

They grappled with one another for weeks to hammer out an agreement on what basis the government would go forward given that the campaign platforms of the two groups had a bit of blue water between them.

Last weekend they managed to come to agreement including contentious issues like the introduction of a national minimum wage and no new taxes.

So far so good.

With a voter turnout of over 70% one could call the election a successful grassroots affair.

In most instances where a coalition government has to be formed the leadership of the two parties sit down together and work out an agreement..Then, as part of executing their electoral mandate they go  tell their constituents what they have agreed.

Not this time.

The SPD, after negotiating with the CDU/CSU is now going to put the agreement to a vote of the party membership.  Over 44 million Germans voted, some 11 million of whom voted for the SPD.  Now, the 475,000 party members will vote on the coalition agreement. 

So the fate of the coalition is in the hands of 1% of the population.

Seems like a good example of shirking responsibility on the part of the SPD leadership and potentially allowing a splinter group within the party to block a national agreement.

The result will be revealed December 14th so stay tuned.