Opinion: Germany's Collective Self-Delusion

"Grand coalition" is a phrase that sounds promising, productive and harmonious for many Germans, who still remember the time between 1966 and 1969, when the first and only alliance of Christian Democrats and Social Democrats ruled the country on the national level.

Things weren't that bad back then, some recollect. Indeed, the so-called black-red coalition probably did more to change the country than the supposedly revolutionary "Generation 1968," which simply received more attention.

Back then, the grand coalition laid the foundation for Germany's societal liberalization, which was later completed by the coalition government of Social Democrats and Free Democrats that followed it. Black-red initiated a new policy approach towards the Eastern bloc and made first steps towards modernizing the country's system of government.

What could be more enticing than a remake? Relying on a definitely comfortable majority in parliament, such an alliance would be able to tackle the complete makeover Germany so desperately needs. It could happen without serious resistance from states nor painful blockades and endless discussions.

According to the latest polls, almost a third of voters is banking on a grand coalition and probably isn't just hoping for an end to party bickering but also softer reforms that are based on consensus and will be easier to bear as a result.

A different country

It's all an illusion. The Sixties won't be coming back. The leading politicians at the time, the Christian Democrat Kurt Georg Kiesinger and the Social Democrat Willy Brandt, lived in a country, where unemployment wasn't a problem and national debt was still a foreign word.

Germany was still a country were most people remained with one company until retirement and where childless couples were still considered doomed. Societal and political reforms in this long-gone federal republic were connected with social welfare kickbacks. Germany can't afford this any longer: It needs profound change, not soft compromise in the 21st century.

Additionally, a grand coalition is unlikely to bring an end to the current political standstill. On the contrary: the gruelling debates that took place between Germany's Christian Democrat-controlled upper house and Social Democrat-controlled lower house of parliament would also continue during cabinet meetings.

Expanding the stalemate

Social Democratic leaders who would succeed Chancellor Gerhard Schröder and current party chair Franz Müntefering would also be unable to support serious reforms. Unlike during the 1960s, the party's not on the upswing. SPD leaders would be caught between a populist opposition from the Left and their duty to govern responsibly as part of a grand coalition.

An alliance between CDU and SPD could rely on a sound parliamentary majority, but it wouldn't be able to make clear decisions. This would result in a watered-down reform program, which would only cost Germany more precious time.

Sure, a broad-based reform coalition would be desirable in order to secure wide acceptance for necessary cuts. But this would require all those involved to display a willingness to accept what's necessary -- something that doesn't seem to be the case at the moment. Instead, Germany's voters and parties quite obviously still tend to indulge in collective self-delusion.