German Elections & Politics

[Beagle]

Uh, is there anything specific about 1967 that would make it a reference point for quality of life? And what on earth are the pollsters playing at with this question? Are the Wirtschaftswunder years considered some golden age for living standards now?

Also, I'm amazed that two in three Green voters and one in three Left voters approves of the Merkel government. Something's surely wrong. Given de Maziere's uptick in approval, is this a rally to the flag after the Berlin attack?

[Beagle]

What is the Überhangmandate situation? The CDU looks like it can take 25-6 seats on the basis of first votes, while the ARD/ZDF distribution has them at 24.

[Beagle]

If the articles I read on the future GroKo cabinet are correct, there will be zero ministers from the former GDR (except for Merkel herself, obviously). Given the current situation in the East, isn't this a problem? Also, has anybody commented how much influence tiny Saarland has now? With AKK, Altmaier & Maas all in or near the highest positions in the land, it seems like Berlin is becoming Saarbrücken on the Spree. I take it geographic balance isn't really expected in the German government?