No mandate for neo-liberalism

Commenting on the German election result, the President of the Party of European Socialists, Poul Nyrup Rasmussen, said

"Angela Merkel has failed. For the third time running the conservatives have failed to gain a majority. Angela Merkel has no mandate from the German people for a neo-liberal approach to modernising the German economy.

"Angela Merkel will find it very difficult to form a Government.

"A period of uncertainty in Europe while a Government is formed is a price worth paying to be spared the worst of Angela Merkel’s neo-liberal policies. Even in the coming period of uncertainty Germany will be in the very capable hands of Chancellor Schröder and the SPD.

"Gerhard Schröder has given a masterclass in campaigning, he is the king of the political comeback. He is now in a strong position to safeguard his agenda of economic reform combined with decent social protection."