The Great Coalition and other Observations

by - Tuesday, January 02, 2018

  • So the Jamaica Coalition is no more, as talks between the strangest of bedfellows, the Conservatives, the Libertarians, and the Greenies broke down. Said FDP Chair Christian Lindner: "Better not govern at all than govern wrong." This means that the Social Democrats, having committed themselves to the opposition after their election defeat, are now in talks again to form a Great Coalition. It is doable and will probably be achieved. The question is, at which price to the Conservatives. The last and final solution: a minority government. But that will work just fine. Right, Ms. May?
  • Aldi has proven once again that they are not your average discount supermarket chain. On December 28, they - in the truest sense of the word - launched a campaign for their fireworks that would go on sale. Besides the elaborate advertisements, Aldi opened one of its stores in Berlin at midnight on the dot to exhibit their selection. Despite freezing temperatures, scores of Germans went shopping to snag their fireworks for New Year's Eve. More than 600 customers packed the Aldi branch in Berlin-Spandau. And people around the world keep wondering why people camp out for the new iPhone...
  • There's nothing like a German Christmas market, even if you're not into the holidays. In Frankfurt we had almost a half a foot of snow and freezing temperatures, and the city center of Frankfurt was absolutely packed. Even if people just come out for the glühwein and some chitchat, I don't think anybody hits the spirit of Christmas without trying as much as the Germans. We went to two of them, in Frankfurt and Nuremberg. Ever try blueberry glühwein?
  • In the news these days is Oskar Gröning, former SS Officer in Auschwitz Birkenau, who was sentenced to four years in prison for his role in the holocaust, even though it is alleged he was mainly responsible for accounting. This sentence was passed down two years ago, and Grönings lawyer appealed on behalf of his now 96 year old client. German reactions are mostly negative, largely due to age and the fact that the Germans have suffered enough for WWII. The sentence appears final, so that Gröning would be a jolly old century old when and if he is released.
  • Regardless of the election results, almost half of all Germans would prefer a change at the top: 46% would like to see reigning Kanzler Angela Merkel resign, even more so in the eastern part of the country. 
  • Beginning in January, the Deutsche Bahn, also known as the railway service in Germany, will outlaw alcohol on some of their trains, citing the need to tidy up their trains. I only know of one group that will mourn this decision, but have decided not to disclose this, in the name of discretion and decency (hint: traveling soccer fans). 
  • That's three pretty healthy snowfalls in the last four weeks here in Frankfurt and counting. Of course, the weather doesn't remain cold enough or long enough for the snow to stick, so kids can have all the fun...and parents don't have to ski to work.
  • Happy New Year to all blog readers at this moment, to all chumps and chumpettes. Here's to another ten years of travel blogging!

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