[PEN-L:266] Re: **SPD & Schroeder in**: So what?

[Rob Schaap <rws@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

G'day Valis,

You write:

>Now that the time has elapsed and we're talking fact rather than theory,
>does anyone have some thoughts and projections on this more-or-less left
>more-or-less victory?

Schroeder expressed agreement with Kohl's mob on all the big picture items
and was prepared to bend before the right's xenophobic sentiment for
electioneering purposes.  I reckon the Germans felt like a change of man,
and that the man in question had long since determined that's all they
wanted.

Much depends, I suppose, on how Jospin reacts to Schroeders accession.  If
he feels he can get the German socdems to go along with some of his
promises to the unions (eg standardised 'an hour off the day; not a penny
off the pay' as they used to say - in vain - in 1926), he may make issues
where Schroeder might be hoping none arise.

If Jospin won't, I'm bloody sure that smug Pom Blair won't.  But ya gotta
look on the bright side whenever there's one going, eh?

Cheers,
Rob.