Die brandenburgische Landtagswahl vom 19. September 2004: Reaktionen der Wahler auf Hartz IV
In: Zeitschrift für Parlamentsfragen: ZParl, Band 36, Heft 1, S. 64-80
Abstract
The election campaign in Brandenburg was dominated by a federal law, called "Hartz IV," a reform of the labour market passed in July 2004. It provoked mass demonstrations & became the central issue of party competition. The PDS fought against this law in an aggressive & populist way & tried to distinguish itself as the party of social conscience. While the CDU had difficulties to react adequately, the SPD decided to counteract the PDS campaign by using an offensive & highly personalized strategy: Brandenburg's Prime Minister Matthias Platzeck faced up to the protest of the citizens & presented himself as an advocate of the special interests of East Germans. In the end, this strategy was rewarded by the voters: The SPD suffered heavy losses but remained the strongest party coming in ahead of the PDS, while the CDU had to be content with taking third place. Again, the Greens & the FDP failed to take the five-percent-hurdle. In contrast, the right-wing extremist DVIJ succeeded in remaining in the Landtag. Before the election campaign, the SPD had been open for a coalition both with the CDU & the PDS. However, during the campaign rising conflicts with the PDS made them lean more & more toward the CDU. Hence, the continuation of the SPD-CDU-coalition was settled soon after the election. 4 Tables. Adapted from the source document.
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ISSN: 0340-1758
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