kelpdiver 2 #51 February 7, 2008 QuoteYeah that's how it is supposed to work in Germany, but people vote for a party and the president of the winning party becomes counselor so there is really not that much of a difference. That is a huge difference. If the US did that, Nancy Pelosi would be President right now. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
warpedskydiver 0 #52 February 7, 2008 ewwwwwww Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andrewwhyte 1 #53 February 7, 2008 Quote If the US did that, Nancy Pelosi would be President right now. Well no she wouldn't. The US system draws the superior talent to the Senate; if the president was chosen from the house that would not be the case. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hausse 0 #54 February 7, 2008 No that's not what I meant. I was just comparing germany to the US and I was saying that in both systems the President is elected directly. If you read up on what I answered to you will see it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kelpdiver 2 #55 February 7, 2008 QuoteQuote If the US did that, Nancy Pelosi would be President right now. Well no she wouldn't. The US system draws the superior talent to the Senate; if the president was chosen from the house that would not be the case. Perhaps so, but the Speaker of the House is more important than the Senate Majority Leader. Higher in the order for presidential succession too. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kelpdiver 2 #56 February 7, 2008 QuoteNo that's not what I meant. I was just comparing germany to the US and I was saying that in both systems the President is elected directly. If you read up on what I answered to you will see it. How is a President selected by a legislature a direct election? Is this a translation problem? The reference I checked specifically said the Germans do not directly elect this position, and for a reason. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hausse 0 #57 February 7, 2008 As I said I agree that they do not directly elect the president but there are just two parties (FDP, CVP) strong enough to be able to support a president. It is clear from the beginning if that party wins and a coalition gets together, that guy/girl is gonna be president. So if you wanted Merkel, you just voted CVP if you wantend Schröder you voted for the FDP. So it's direct. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kelpdiver 2 #58 February 7, 2008 QuoteAs I said I agree that they do not directly elect the president but there are just two parties (FDP, CVP) strong enough to be able to support a president. It is clear from the beginning if that party wins and a coalition gets together, that guy/girl is gonna be president. So if you wanted Merkel, you just voted CVP if you wantend Schröder you voted for the FDP. So it's direct. So what if you want CVP, but not Markel? You're screwed. It may be that in a multiparty system, the leaders of each party are more identical to their party. In our two party system, that isn't true at all. A California Republican politician is very different from one out of Alabama. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andrewwhyte 1 #59 February 7, 2008 Quote It may be that in a multiparty system, the leaders of each party are more identical to their party. In our two party system, that isn't true at all. A California Republican politician is very different from one out of Alabama. I think it is more accurate to say that in a parliamentary system and especially in a proportional representation system the leaders are more closely identified with their party. France is a good example of a multi-party presidential system where the legislators are independent of their leader similar to US. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
christelsabine 1 #60 February 7, 2008 Quote As I said I agree that they do not directly elect the president but there are just two parties (FDP, CVP) strong enough to be able to support a president. It is clear from the beginning if that party wins and a coalition gets together, that guy/girl is gonna be president. So if you wanted Merkel, you just voted CVP if you wantend Schröder you voted for the FDP. So it's direct. Man, do not let him read this. He's a socialist and was our chancellor under so called SPD (Social Democratic Party (of) Germany) Dr. Merkel = Christian Democratic Union. Federal Diet (Bundestag) is electing the chancellor. Our president is proposing a candidate, if majority votes for him/her, he has to tap him/her for chancellor. The feds are the FDP (which still is Free Party (of) Germany, under Guido Westerwelle). Every 5 years, the German president is elected by the federal assembly. Just that much for our system, which nonetheless is not easier to understand than the American one. Quote So it's direct. No, it's not. dudeist skydiver # 3105 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hausse 0 #61 February 7, 2008 Quote Quote As I said I agree that they do not directly elect the president but there are just two parties (FDP, CVP) strong enough to be able to support a president. It is clear from the beginning if that party wins and a coalition gets together, that guy/girl is gonna be president. So if you wanted Merkel, you just voted CVP if you wantend Schröder you voted for the FDP. So it's direct. Man, do not let him read this. He's a socialist and was our chancellor under so called SPD (Social Democratic Party (of) Germany) Dr. Merkel = Christian Democratic Union. Federal Diet (Bundestag) is electing the chancellor. Our president is proposing a candidate, if majority votes for him/her, he has to tap him/her for chancellor. The feds are the FDP (which still is Free Party (of) Germany, under Guido Westerwelle). Every 5 years, the German president is elected by the federal assembly. Just that much for our system, which nonetheless is not easier to understand than the American one. Quote So it's direct. No, it's not. Wow sorry I messed that up. But why do the germans need to have so similar names to the Swiss Parties? (We have FDP CVP and SVP)But still I mean you knew who was going to be president as soon as you knew which party would be able to form the coalition. It's not like the CDU would have been able to win the majority and then Merkel wouldn't have become Bundeskanzler. Did the president ever propose an unexpected candidate? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
christelsabine 1 #62 February 8, 2008 Quote .... But still I mean you knew who was going to be president as soon as you knew which party would be able to form the coalition. It's not like the CDU would have been able to win the majority and then Merkel wouldn't have become Bundeskanzler. Did the president ever propose an unexpected candidate? You are absolutely right - and no, the president never ever proposed an unelectable candidate dudeist skydiver # 3105 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
crwtom 0 #63 February 8, 2008 Quote So what if you want CVP, but not Markel? You're screwed. the other way around - if the CVP puts up Merkel and no one wants Merkel - then the CVP and many of their reps are screwed. Voters have to evaluate both the candidate for chief executive and the integrity of the supporting party and make up their mind about both and how they work together. You're less likely to have Mr Popular who cannot get diddlysquat done with the current legislature. Quote A California Republican politician is very different from one out of Alabama. There are also considerable differences in the CVP or SPD if you go from north to south. In a democracy regional politicians will tend to conform with regional mentality to get the votes - no matter what the system is. Cheers, T ******************************************************************* Fear causes hesitation, and hesitation will cause your worst fears to come true Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
