The German election coming next month (probably) is a high-stakes gamble for Schroeder, who forced an early election in hopes of retaining power in the face of mounting criticism of his management of the economy. With the repudiation of Chirac by his voters on the EU constitution ringing in his ears, Schroeder no doubt hears a death-knell sounding for his Red-Green coalition. Some wags predict an outright victory for the pro-American Christian Democratic Union of Angela Merkel, and others speculate about an unholy alliance between the CDU and Schroeder’s SPD. Either way, it’s most likely compost time for the Greens.
Deutsche Welle has some background.