Beckermann's Berlin Brief

I've been trying to figure out over the last few days how exactly the German states organize themselves politically - and all I can say for sure - is that its complicated.

Two states have recently held elections, Hesse and Hamburg, and in both cases a coalition must be formed in order to govern, or such is my understanding of things. Forming coalitions is a tricky, and evidently lengthy, process, a month after the Hesse election it is still unclear which parties will join to form a government.

The Green party, in both instances is a desired coalition partner, sought after by both the centre right CDU and the centre-left SPD, it may end up forming a partnership with both parties. Some even within the Green party are asking if this means that the only thing the Greens want is to be in government, no matter who the governing partner is. Others have argued this isn't the case - and as the case in Hamburg has shown the party is willing to become a coalition member with a partner who is willing to negotiate on its main issue points - a very solid strategy I think.

Safe to say, the first past the post system, is much easier to understand, and given the almost deadlock situation following the Hesse election, I am not quite convinced that FPT is not the better way to go...