Time to Rename our Political Landscape: What's in Store for the Merz Government?
- authored by Martin Debes and Phil Göbel
- Approx Read Time - 3 Min
- What is the name of the Merz administration in the Albania-Coalition?
Let's face it, the good ol' "GroKo" just doesn't fit the bill anymore. The collaboration between Union (CDU/CSU) and SPD, often dubbed a "Grand Coalition," seems a bit outdated given the election outcomes. With Union and SPD collecting 44.9% of the second votes in the federal election, and the BSW just barely scraping under the 5-percent hurdle, there's a majority of seats in the Bundestag - a mere 12 votes to spare.
Never has a union between Union and SPD, which has formed four times, been as weak as it is now. Even the future chancellor, Friedrich Merz, has acknowledged this. He told Bild that the planned coalition with these narrow majorities in parliament can no longer be called a GroKo.
So, what's next? Merz is on the hunt for a fresh moniker for this new political alliance. Here are a few ideas from stern magazine's editorial team to kick things off:
The "KleiKo" - The Little Players
The "KleiKo," or "Small Coalition," is a bit of a jab from the opposition, meant to make the future federal government seem small. While it may be a polemical term, it does have some truth to it. After all, when it was created in 2005, the GroKo parties had around 70% of the second votes.
The Greens might be forgetting history a bit when they throw the term around. The second red-green coalition from 2002 was based on only about 47% of the votes.
Black-Red - Back to Basics
This isn't a winning title for any advertising awards, but it's a simple return to political color theory. Just like there used to be Black-Yellow or Red-Green, Black-Red will soon be in charge again.
The names Ampel or Jamaica had to combine three colors into one term, making things a bit awkward. Purists might argue that the CDU hasn't been black for a long time, but "Cadenabbia" blue doesn't quite roll off the tongue.
Albania-Coalition - The Eagle and the Red
There are plenty of flags in the world that combine black and red. The Albanian flag sports a double-headed black eagle on a red background, which could symbolize the forming coalition in a double-edged sense. However, black-red is also the preferred color combination of anarchists and Antifa.
SchuKo - The Debt Coalition
This name leads in the direction of the "KleiKo," but with a bit more bite: "SchuKo," or the "Debt Coalition." This term is a favorite among more right-wing media, and it does have a core of truth. The new coalition intends to take on more debt than any before it.
At least, with the Greens on board, they've written authorization commitments of more than one trillion euros into the Basic Law.
RamboZamboKo - The Renewal Squad
Merz is on a mission to foster a spirit of renewal. A government under his chancellorship should represent a genuine shift in politics. In other words, something substantial should happen. Or as he might say himself: "RamboZambo" should be the order of the day. His campaign fumble has already become a cult sensation - perhaps even a name for the new government?
CoCo - The Compromise Coalition
Despite the SPD slumping to historical lows at 16%, the Social Democrats are showing a notable self-confidence. If Merz wants to collaborate, he'll have to "pay" for it - with ministerial posts and SPD positions in the coalition agreement, i.e., with compromises. This may not fit with Merz's campaign promises, but it's the political reality.
FriCo - "Fritze's Coalition"
Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz declared during the election campaign that "Fritze" Merz was telling "nonsense." A Playful frontal attack that Merz didn't take lightly. Now, as the election winner, he could turn Scholz's mockery into a comeback, recycle his nickname, and make it the name of his coalition. A soothing balm for the bruised Sauerland ego.
And that's all from the stern editorial team's suggestions. It's your turn! Vote for which name a government of Union and SPD should have:
- GroCo
- SPD
- Friedrich Merz
- Bundestag
- Bundestag Election
- Election Campaign
- The suggestion of "SchuKo" - The Debt Coalition seems fitting, given the new coalition's intention to take on more debt than any before it.
- The name "RamboZamboKo" could represent a genuine shift in politics under Merz's chancellorship, embodying a spirit of renewal.
- The proposed name "CoCo" - The Compromise Coalition reflects the political reality that Merz will have to make compromises with the SPD to form a government, despite their historical lows in the election.
