This is the actual seat allocation.
Some good things. First, Martin Schulz got clobbered. That guy is scum, so that's obviously a good thing. Second, Die Linke and the Greens underperformed. No chance at a SPD-Die Linke-Green coalition. The numbers won't add up. In fact, they won't even come close. Third, the Free Democrats (FDP) did well, which is good, because they're economically the most conservative party. However, also good, they didn't do well enough to give Merkel a majority, which would have invited the same kind of policies we've been getting from her.
Merkel basically has two choices, neither of which are easy for her. She can form a coalition with FDP and the Greens, which means she'll have to juggle significant conflict on economic and environmental issues. (The Greens in Germany aren't anywhere near as nutty as they are in the US, but they still lean left.) Her other option is to breakdown and play ball with the AfD, which would take massive concessions on immigration. She says she won't do that, but the other option gives the Greens a hell of a lot of leverage.
Or, of course, they can call another election if nothing happens.
Last edited: Sep 24, 2017