#Germany update
The vaccination program has finally gathered speed w/ the arrival of sufficient vaccines, AZ doubts clarified, & local organisation sorted out. During the last 2-3 weeks, it has accelerated considerably & now includes GP surgeries, not just vaccination centres.
The vaccination program has finally gathered speed w/ the arrival of sufficient vaccines, AZ doubts clarified, & local organisation sorted out. During the last 2-3 weeks, it has accelerated considerably & now includes GP surgeries, not just vaccination centres.
2/
Currently, we have a new headache, two, in fact.
Headache no. 1 is our federal system that hands 16 state prime ministers all authority over education & most authority over lockdown measures. W/ the economy complaining & elections in Sept, since autumn, PMs have broken rank.
Currently, we have a new headache, two, in fact.
Headache no. 1 is our federal system that hands 16 state prime ministers all authority over education & most authority over lockdown measures. W/ the economy complaining & elections in Sept, since autumn, PMs have broken rank.
3/
The unified, consensual approach that worked so well during lockdown no. 1 has been undermined for every lockdown since, with compromises ignored & lockdown measures watered down - they're now different from state to state & community to community.
The unified, consensual approach that worked so well during lockdown no. 1 has been undermined for every lockdown since, with compromises ignored & lockdown measures watered down - they're now different from state to state & community to community.
4/
Headache no. 2: Merkel will retire in September & already no longer leads the Conservatives, so we've seen a competition for the party leadership (won by state PM Armin Laschet). As the Cons are made up of 2 parties (Bavarian CSU & Merkel's CDU), the current popularity of...
Headache no. 2: Merkel will retire in September & already no longer leads the Conservatives, so we've seen a competition for the party leadership (won by state PM Armin Laschet). As the Cons are made up of 2 parties (Bavarian CSU & Merkel's CDU), the current popularity of...
5/
Bavarian PM Söder (leader of the CSU) has resulted in a power struggle for the Conservative chancellor candidacy.
As we are entering another wave, Germany is watching with growing concern and disbelief as two men are fighting for promotion at a time of crisis.
Bavarian PM Söder (leader of the CSU) has resulted in a power struggle for the Conservative chancellor candidacy.
As we are entering another wave, Germany is watching with growing concern and disbelief as two men are fighting for promotion at a time of crisis.
6/
Polls show that a majority of Germans have wanted to continue or even enhance lockdown measures. Instead, in the last months several PMs have eased measures & opened schools & workplaces. Infection numbers are climbing. ⅔ of hospitals are full & can't except more patients.
Polls show that a majority of Germans have wanted to continue or even enhance lockdown measures. Instead, in the last months several PMs have eased measures & opened schools & workplaces. Infection numbers are climbing. ⅔ of hospitals are full & can't except more patients.
7/
Finally (!), Merkel's federal government is seeking to regain control w/ a draft law that transfers much of the authority needed to impose lockdown measures from a state to the federal level, making it possible for her to impose them nationwide. It will be passed this week.
Finally (!), Merkel's federal government is seeking to regain control w/ a draft law that transfers much of the authority needed to impose lockdown measures from a state to the federal level, making it possible for her to impose them nationwide. It will be passed this week.
8/
So there you go. A combination of inadequate politicians at state level, guided by personal & regional interests & the September general elections whose lure of power proved too much for some, have created the current situation.
So there you go. A combination of inadequate politicians at state level, guided by personal & regional interests & the September general elections whose lure of power proved too much for some, have created the current situation.
9/
2 lessons:
We should have postponed the elections. A public health crisis that requires consensual politics is no time for a political campaign.
We need to reform state authority for education & public health. It's always been ludicrous to run 16 different education systems.
2 lessons:
We should have postponed the elections. A public health crisis that requires consensual politics is no time for a political campaign.
We need to reform state authority for education & public health. It's always been ludicrous to run 16 different education systems.
10/
So, when this is over, we have work to do. Fix the weaknesses in our federal system, too long ignored as it was all going so well, & rethink the kind of men and women we elect into power. We will see a number of current disgraced PMs deselected in future state elections.
So, when this is over, we have work to do. Fix the weaknesses in our federal system, too long ignored as it was all going so well, & rethink the kind of men and women we elect into power. We will see a number of current disgraced PMs deselected in future state elections.
11/END
German politics will become interesting, come September. Watch this space.
P.S. No, we will not leave the EU [sigh].
German politics will become interesting, come September. Watch this space.
P.S. No, we will not leave the EU [sigh].
On this, a cartoon by Heiko Sakurai:
"Oh, look, the Conservatives are deciding on who'll be their chancellor candidate"
"Oh, look, the Conservatives are deciding on who'll be their chancellor candidate"
*accept
P.S. Today, the Conservatives confirmed Armin Laschet as chancellor candidate. Heavily trailing in the polls even among his own voters, who credit him w/ few qualifications & little chance to win the Sept elections. German Twitter is having a field day with this. #SOEDERvsLASCHET
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