As the SPD it crosses a crisis of identity

Overlapping, messy, confusing: the first 100 days of the new coalition in power in Berlin gave the wire struggled to Angela Merkel, who must deal with two very restless partners. Almost more difficult than the Social Democrats in the grand coalition is a height!

The setbacks began after just four weeks. Already contested by the opposition to his new position, Franz Josef Jung, appointed Social Affairs after the defence in the previous cabinet, is caught by the case of the air strike in the region of Kunduz, in Afghanistan, in September. He resigned. A mini-remaniement is necessary.

In December, the only size of the last three months Bill, which provides for 8.5 billion euros of support to the economy, including a decrease in VAT for hotels, faces a resolved frond on the part of Länder unhappy to see amputees tax revenues. This bronca cruelly highlights the extreme narrowness of the new majority in the Bundesrat. Barely out of the ambush, in engaging on more investment in education, Angela Merkel faces new controversy: a hotel group has made a very generous donation to the Liberal Party, therefore taxed as blatant patronage. A criticism that affects the entire Government.

About the economic course pursued by the new Government, although malignant which could define it. The Liberals, who seem to have forgotten the art of compromise after eleven years in opposition, continue to claim billions of euros in tax breaks. On the side of the Christian, more conservative Unions, it determines any lower taxes "margins of manoeuvre" more in more speculative as is widening public deficit. Any decision to returned in may, when there will be an estimate accurate recipes of the year.

In the health sector, the Liberals are calling for of lump-sum, disconnected health insurance contributions income. The CSU, especially vehement in Berlin it is weakened in its Bavarian lands, strangles. An ad hoc Committee will make proposals in the fall.

In the energy field, the extension of life of some nuclear reactors, in the coalition agreement, is still not undecided. To the chagrin of the industry, claiming the visibility to invest. But the Chancellor wants to first develop a "energy"complete concept, from here to... the fall.

In all sensitive files, in fact, it is urgent to wait... on May 9. That day, the Land of North RhineWestphalia renews its regional Parliament. Because the Land is home to 18 million people who produce nearly one quarter of the national wealth, this election is a national issue. The CDU Jürgen Rüttgers, who conquered struggles this SPD stronghold in 2005, is very large. In the event of defeat, the conservative camp would suffer a severe affront and would also lose its majority in the Bundesrat. It is therefore everyone walking on eggs in the majority. But this wait creates, according to Isabelle Bourgeois, the Cirac, "a poisonous atmosphere which destabilizes, among others, consumers, as shown in the evolution of the GfK confidence index".

In this context yet humorous, "the Chancellor did not, or would not, define a new style of Government in the new constellation", notes Frank Baasner, Director of the Franco-German Institute of Ludwigsburg. It kept this presidential style, while rounding, which earned him popularity in the grand coalition. But that is more adapted to the new situation, feel of many barons of the CDU, nostalgic for a firmer direction. Angela Merkel has certainly won the elections with the assistance of the FDP, but the CDU has recorded a very disappointing score. As the SPD, it crosses a crisis of identity. Then that Angela Merkel promises "a CDU for all", many supporters who are concerned about the weakening of the Christian component of the party. "The authority of the Chancellor is not still fundamentally questioned in, but it must take care to the potential of rebellion the CDU, as Helmut Kohl was able to experience", said Thomas Klau of ECFR.

The opposition also perils threatening. Oskar Lafontaine, the charismatic leader of the radical left party Die Linke, has just announced his withdrawal, on the grounds of health. His departure destabilizes his training, which could therefore closer to the SPD.

It certainly started had been most encouraging. Interviewed Sunday by "Die Welt", Angela Merkel not to cache not: "I have no illusions, this is not a friendly legislature.