Half of Greeks according to a recent poll believed that Merkel's reelection would have negative effects for Greece due to her insistence on tough cuts in wages, pensions and social services to tackle Greece massive debt problems.
Greek media reflected this notion on Monday, focusing on the significance of the outcome for Greece, in particular if a new grand coalition emerges in Berlin.
"Triumph for the queen of austerity. Europe turns into Merkeland," read the headline in Greek leading daily "Ta Nea" (The News). "A triumph for Merkel and the German mark," read the front page title on "Eleftheros Typos" (Free Press) daily.
Nea acknowledged Merkel and her CDU party achieved a historic victory, "boosting their hold, as other European leaders are losing ground." It is underlined that the formation of a grand coalition will be the "best possible development" for Europe and Greece.
Under the argument, Social democrats will lead the new government towards more growth-enhancing policies, putting hopefully a brake on the German leader's intention to keep up the pressure for painful changes on Greece.
Professor of European Politics at Athens University Panayiotis Ioakimidis in an opinion piece in "Ethnos" (The Nation) daily said, "The Social democrats have emphasized the need for a policy which will support development and social cohesion, measures which will ease tough austerity. Therefore, Greece can expect a milder stance when it comes to the handling of the Greek crisis."
"In case CDU manages to form an one-party government, the development will not be promising for Europe and Greece, as there will be limited space for changes in the policies implemented up to today," he added.
Echoing a similar rationale, the lead article of "Kathimerini" (Daily) pointed out that "during her last term in the office Merkel has more potential for a more brave policy in regards to Europe as well as domestic topics."
According to the article, issues such as the banking union could now be addressed with more flexibility. Within Germany, with a healthy economy, Merkel can afford to offer more expensive welfare policies. In short, she has the luxury to work on her legacy after stepping down from politics.
http://english.cntv.cn/20130923/104560.shtml
23/9/13
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No Greeks in Bundestag... Three Greek candidates fail to be elected in Sunday's vote...
ReplyDeleteNone of the three Greeks who contested Sunday's German federal elections have made it to the Bundestag, with each of their parties losing votes to the largest party to emerge from the elections, Angela Merkel's Christian Democrats (CDU).
"What a pity. Unfortunately it wasn't enough for our constituency. Even though as a 'new' candidate, I improved on the previous result, it's still disappointing. Nevertheless, I congratulate the CDU on its result! A massive thanks to my great team!!! We had a ball! Thanks for your efforts," wrote Stella Kirgiane-Efremidis on Facebook.
The daughter of Greek migrants, Kirgiane-Efremidis was a candidate with the SPD - which emerged from the election as second party - in the Baden Wuerttemberg constituency of Zollernalb-Sigmaringen, where she grew up.
Also unsuccessful was Lampros Savvidis, who contested the election for the Left party, which came third, and Spiridon Aslanidis, a candidate for the Greens in the northern city of Luebeck, where he works as a financial advisor.
http://www.enetenglish.gr/?i=news.en.article&id=1496
23/9/13