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By Sami Kerim Galal
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Saturday, 21 May 2005 |
 This Sunday on the 22nd of May, the German county of North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) will hold elections for a new leading party. The fight is on between the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and the Social Democratic Party (SPD). It has become difficult for people to make a choice as both are currently drenched in controversy.
For the last 39 nine years there was no contest: year in and year out, the SPD remained in power. But the NRW population has recently felt forsaken by its leaders due to a burgeoning unemployment rate, currently 2% above the German average of 9.9% (math is good for you). Neither is the CDU completely in the clear with a menacing financial scandal still haunting the party from its revelation in 1999.
Much like Ohio in the last US elections, the NRW has ended up as a final battle ground for the SPD. The election is very significant for Chancellor Schroeder and the governing SPD-Green Party coalition. Having lost seats in parliament in election after election, the NRW remains as the final stronghold of the coalition. With the largest constituency of all German counties, North Rhine-Westphalia may well decide Schroeder's political future in next year's federal elections.
As of yesterday, the CDU is still leading, but the race is finally getting exciting with the two parties battling it out. SPD's choice for NRW leader is the State Prime Minister Peer Steinbrueck, and representing the CDU the candidate Juergen Ruettgers. The Pulse will bring you more information as the story develops. |
