Germany could be facing a huge political crisis, placing the future of the coalition and even Europe in jeopardy. Interior minister Horst Seehofer of the right-wing CSU (which is an an election campaign in Bavaria) is pushing to institute border controls to intercept "undesirables". He is threatening to push ahead over the objections of Merkel -- which could create a constitutional crisis, since the chancellor explicitly directs government policy.
It also places at risk the grand coalition. The SPD has reminded the CDU/CSU that it, not the CSU, is the coalition partner, and that this kind of thing requires negotiation and consensus. The party has issued no threats to pull out of the coalition yet, but if Merkel loses this battle, I can't see how the SPD can remain. The CDU would then need to form a minority government -- which Merkel refuses to do -- or ask the president to call new elections. In any case, if Seehofer wins this, Merkel's got to go anyway.
Border control would limit free movement within the EU. So this is also a European issue. If Germany limits that free movement, other countries will follow. It would be a chink in the EU's armour.
All because the CSU wants to appeal to people who have no problem voting for Nazis.
It also places at risk the grand coalition. The SPD has reminded the CDU/CSU that it, not the CSU, is the coalition partner, and that this kind of thing requires negotiation and consensus. The party has issued no threats to pull out of the coalition yet, but if Merkel loses this battle, I can't see how the SPD can remain. The CDU would then need to form a minority government -- which Merkel refuses to do -- or ask the president to call new elections. In any case, if Seehofer wins this, Merkel's got to go anyway.
Border control would limit free movement within the EU. So this is also a European issue. If Germany limits that free movement, other countries will follow. It would be a chink in the EU's armour.
All because the CSU wants to appeal to people who have no problem voting for Nazis.
Comment