At least you don't have neo-nazi groups making inroads into public office. Last weekend in two German states far right parties made it into the state parliaments. In one case (Saxony) they reached 9.2% of the vote. At the same time in several recent elections, far left parties like the PDS (the successor to the communist east German ruling dictatorship) are drawing voting totals in the mid 20% range and in some cases polling above the SPD which is in control of the federal government. They even did fairly well in one state although the candidate running was a member of the STASI.
The next federal election is going to be really strange as opposed to that of the UK where it appears to be a forgone conclusion that Blair will win if he stands for election. Both the center left and center right parties which normally trade places in government, are bleeding votes like crazy. The far right and far left are picking up votes as is the Green party. Who knows what kind of ruling goverment with what kind of chancellor is going to emerge from this mess. About the only sure thing is that Germany will continue to stagnate economically since everyone thinks reform is a great idea as long as they themselves don't have to give up anything at all.
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