Election pledges mean very little in Germany

This article appeared on page 2 of the Straits Times (Sept 7) and also on a few other newspapers.

"...German politicians are able to make such “truth-deficient” promises because of a complicated electoral system designed to ensure that no single party can ever rule on its own.

For decades, only three political formations dominated the scene: Chancellor Merkel's right-of-centre Christian Democrats, the Socialists and the minority, pro-business Liberals. So, coalitions were straightforward: Depending on how the votes were cast, the Liberals either joined the left or the right of the political spectrum.

But now, two additional parties - the Greens and a far-left movement - have gained a foothold in Parliament. Creating a government has therefore become a much more complicated task. Political enemies have had to work together.

Coalitions have been made out of strange bedfellows. Germany is currently run by a 'grand coalition' of both Socialists and Christian Democrats.

The unintended consequence of the system is that no party is held to account for promises made during the electoral campaign. Pledges are made in the full knowledge that most of them would be discarded when a coalition is formed...."

Click here for the full article on the Malaysian Insider.


Questions:

1. What is a coalition?
2. What is a system of proportional representation?
3. How does/did this system of proportional representation affect Germany (i) during the Weimar years, (ii) now?
4. How far is Germany's political situation similar to the situation during the Weimar years?