Unconventional Titles for Germany's New Union-SPD Coalition
- "Investigation into Alliances: Groko, Schuko, and Blackrot Under Scrutiny"
Hey there! Let's cut to the chase, shall we? Germany's Union and SPD are haggling it out in Berlin to forge a potential joint government, and the city's abuzz with speculation about what they'll call this brand-new alliance.
Groko: Nowhere to be seen is talk about a grand coalition anymore thanks to the shrinking size of both parties in the Bundestag. "You can't exactly call this coalition-in-the-making a 'GroKo' anymore with those skinny majorities in parliament," said CDU head, Friedrich Merz, to Bild. Plus, the nickname is pretty much associated with the Union-SPD days of Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU), leaving little room for more use.
Schuko: The FDP's Christian Dürr hinted at a "Schuko" as an abbreviation for "debt coalition" last week. Merz proposes another option: "Perhaps black-red work coalition or coalition of renewal and progress." Meanwhile, SPD General Secretary Matthias Miersch finds the substance more essential. He's sure the press will come up with a crackerJack name for it.
Blackrot: CDU General Secretary Carsten Linnemann said in Berlin, "I'd say, a just-get-it-done coalition." The most provocative idea came from former Green Party leader Ricarda Lang with over 10,000 likes on X—she suggested "Blackrot": black for the CDU/CSU, red for the SPD. However, it also sounds like "Blackrock" - the American financial company where Merz worked before his return to politics. "Black rot" is also the English term for black rot, a grapevine fungal disease.
The CDU's Merz floated two alternative names for the Union-SPD alliance:
- "Black-Red Working Coalition": This one underscores the parties' collaboration in a functional capacity, focusing on work and governance, embodying their commitment to getting the job done.
- "Coalition of New Beginnings and Renewal": This name signifies a fresh start and a commitment to reform and revitalization, acknowledging the need for change and innovation in German politics.
So there you have it! Stay tuned for more developments in this high-stakes game of political name-that-tune. Subscribe to our free Berlin newsletter to keep up with the most important stories of the week, curated especially for you by our politics experts.
- The CDU's Friedrich Merz proposed thename "Black-Red Working Coalition" for the Union-SPD alliance, emphasizing their collaboration in a practical sense, focusing on work and governance.
- Another suggestion by Merz for the new coalition's name is the "Coalition of New Beginnings and Renewal," signifying a fresh start and a commitment to reform and revitalization.
- Christian Dürr from the FDP previously hinted at a "Schuko" nickname for the coalition, as an abbreviation for "debt coalition."
