Thread by @dwnews

Bad day to be Not Good at colors, huh?

#Bundestagswahl21

A German government needs a 50% majority in parliament, but it's difficult for one party to get that much voter support. They agree on coalitions and working out what it all means is like math. Color theory? Color algebra? The numbers of shade? Ok bear with us, it's still early.

So let's break it down:

The center-right CDU and CSU are symbolized by the color black.

The center-left Social Democrat SPD is red, as is the socialist Left Party.

The neoliberal Free Democrats' (FDP) color is yellow.

And the Greens are, well, c'mon, it's not 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 hard.

You know the line in The Good Place about humans taking something great and ruining it a little to have more of it? That was definitely about German politics, hear us out here:

German media often uses national flags to refer to color combinations as shorthand for coalitions.

Still with us? Let's get into it.

1. Black, red, green — the Kenya coalition

A coalition of CDU (black), the SPD (red) and the Green Party would secure a comfortable majority. Such a coalition has been in power in Brandenburg. On a federal level this would be a first.

2. Black, yellow and green — the Jamaica coalition

The CDU have often teamed up with the FDP.

Taking in the Greens to form a political menage a trois could be attractive to the CDU. But the Greens and the FDP don't make easy bedfellows — a similar attempt failed in 2017.

3. Black, red, yellow — the Germany coalition

The CDU and the SPD, plus the business-focused FDP.

This combination would easily clear the 50% threshold in parliament, and would be the preferred option for business leaders and high-income earners.

4. Red, red, green — Left, SPD, Green

By this point, the whole flag analogy falls apart, stick with us.

The SPD team up with the Greens and the Left Party, though the SPD and Left Party have a difficult history. The Left's foreign policy positions could hamper negotiations.

Red, yellow, green — the traffic light coalition

We know, we know, things got abstract quickly.

The FDP has generally ruled out federal coalitions sandwiched between the SDP and the Greens in the past. But this year, the FDP has kept everything on the table.

Black and red, red and black — the "grand coalition"

A "grand coalition" of CDU and SPD, the "big tent parties," has been in power for the past eight years with the conservatives taking the lead. If the election results allow it, this combination may continue in government.

Deep breaths, you made it. Hopefully this helps make things a little clearer as the day goes on. Any questions? Give us a shout, we'll do our best to help keep things as straightforward as possible.