Jamaica coalition factbox

Germany’s Angela Merkel faces the task of agreeing a coalition with three wildly differing parties of the left, centre and right – a “Jamaica” alliance* of her conservatives, right-liberal Free Democrats, and the Greens

Seats in 709-seat Bundestag
67    246     80

E C O N O M Y Angela Merkel, her conservative CDU/CSU and FDP leader Christian Lindner (right) agree on fiscal discipline, but diverge on detail. FDP powerbrokers call for freedom for entrepreneurs, tax-free periods for start-ups and “working-middle class” tax cut of €30 billion. Greens’ co-leader Cem Ozdemir (left) supports introducing quotas for senior woman managers in private sector. Greens want to close polluting coal-fired power plants and ban sale of new combustion-engine cars from 2030

I M M I G R A T I O N Merkel lost votes to anti-immigration Alternative for Germany party, but all three Jamaica parties support right to asylum for war refugees. FDP supports Canada-style point system while CDU supports removing right to remain for law breakers.
Both parties likely to oppose Greens’ call to let anyone born in Germany become a citizen

H O U S I N G CDU wants investment to boost home ownership and Greens want to build one million new affordable homes. FDP is opposed to state intervention in free market

EUROZONE FDP opposes Eurobonds and calls for strengthening of no bailout clause, and is resistant to CDU and Green plans for greater eurozone integration

D E F E N C E Merkel says she is committed to increase military spending to 2% of GDP, in line with NATO pledges – Greens oppose large increases in military spending. FDP supports establishment of European army controlled by European Parliament

*Party colours of political parties involved in coalition talks resemble three colours of Jamaican flag 

Sources: Julian Göpffarth, LSE; Economist; Reuters        Pictures: Associated Press
© GRAPHIC NEWS