Germany's fast-sinking Pirates could shipwreck Merkel

Gerald · 10-29-12, 12:21 PM

Quote:

(Reuters) - Germany's Pirates, a party that came from nowhere to be a major political force, are suffering a dramatic reversal of fortune that could harm Chancellor Angela Merkel's 2013 re-election chances.

Quote:

After surging ahead of the Free Democrats (FDP), Left Party and Greens to become Germany's third strongest party, polling 13 percent in April, the Pirates have fallen back to 4 percent.

Their drop below the 5 percent threshold needed for seats in parliament could mean the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) and Greens recover enough votes to form a majority next year and oust Merkel.

"The Pirates raised expectations that couldn't be fulfilled," said Matthias Jung, head of pollsters the Electoral Research Group. "The speed of their decline has a lot to do with the way they've been quarrelling in public."

The Pirates are a band of self-confessed nerds who campaign on an eclectic platform of free Internet downloads, data protection, free public transport and legalizing drugs.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/...89S0SO20121029

Note: Mon Oct 29, 2012 12:36pm EDT

Gerald · 10-30-12, 10:35 AM

Sky! Can we get a statement....

Skybird · 10-30-12, 10:41 AM

Yes.

Gerald · 10-30-12, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skybird

Yes.

And?

10-30-12, 10:35 AM	#2
Gerald SUBSIM Newsman Join Date: May 2008 Location: Close to sea Posts: 24,254 Downloads: 553 Uploads: 0	Sky! Can we get a statement.... __________________ Nothing in life is to be feard,it is only to be understood. Marie Curie

10-30-12, 10:41 AM	#3
Skybird Soaring Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: the mental asylum named Germany Posts: 42,620 Downloads: 10 Uploads: 0	Yes. __________________ If you feel nuts, consult an expert.