German Election Is Important – CBS News

You don’t hear much news about Germany. That doesn’t mean it’s unimportant. Germany is remarkably stable, and has been for years. Trouble spots around the world tend to grab our attention, while Germany quietly prospers.

But what happens in Germany does affect you. Germany is a true economic superpower – a partner and rival to the United States in many financial interests. And in today’s interconnected global economy, we literally can’t afford to ignore what happens in Germany.

German chancellor Helmut Kohl is up for re-election this month. He is widely expected to lose – but ***ysts anticipate it will be a close race.

A conservative, Kohl has been in charge of Germany for the better part of two decades. He has overseen the unification of East Germany and West Germany. Kohl has also been the prime mover behind a stronger European community – on German terms.

Kohl’s principal challenger is Gerhard Schroeder, leader of the Social Democratic Party. Schroeder is what’s known as a “Clinton Socialist” – a moderate who pursues centrist positions.

Many other nations in Europe have been moving away from the conservatism of the Reagan-Thatcher-Kohl era, in favor of such moderate-liberal politicians. Now ***ysts believe it may be Germany’s turn to move leftward.

Underscore for emphasis: this is expected to be a close race. And well worth the close attention of every American.

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