The German Election of Chancellor 2017

It appears Schulz came out with superior poll numbers when he announced, but his lead dwindled, and now Ms Merkel seems to enjoy a comfortable lead.

Maybe this is why it's not so much in the news...

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.express.co.uk/news/world/819680/German-election-2017-polls-Angela-Merkel-Martin-Schulz-latest-tracker-germany-odds/amp

In my opinion, the U.S. media not giving much time to the German election is not by pure happenstance. This country in some ways is very different than Germany. For example, their CEOs don't make a king's ransom, students early on are tracked to technical jobs rather than everyone "should go" to college, and they are very much trying to live in a Europe that doesn't exude respective national pride to excess (hubris). So, since the powers that be in the U.S. do not want the next generation to change our country that much, we do not, in my opinion, make Germany headline news. We give coverage to the British. Why? Have you ever heard of WASP America? And, after two 20th century world wars, where Germany was on the opposing side from us, German-Americans might just be looking to their German culture of hard work and industriousness as to what makes them excel as Americans; Germany and the rest of Europe are doing as well as can be expected for each demographic's capabilities, in my opinion.

We even give coverage to little Israel. Certainly not because Jews are a smallish community in the U.S., but Evangelicals are tens of millions strong, with their bible prophecy beliefs, in my opinion. And, they vote.

Merkel's immigration stance didn't remove her, but lost her a little ground.

Enter AfD

https://www.wsj.com/amp/articles/nationalist-partys-strong-showing-highlights-german-immigration-worries-1506340311

By Anton Troianovski
Sept. 25, 2017 7:51 a.m. ET
BERLIN—The nationalist Alternative for Germany made deep inroads in the traditional strongholds of the country’s establishment parties, detailed data released on Monday showed, underscoring the extent of voter unease with immigration across Germany.

The party’s broad success, garnering nearly 13% of the overall vote, highlights the challenge for the German political mainstream...

I offer the thought that the media is fully aware of what's going on in Europe, and whatever is possibly coming down the proverbial pike might not be what we today want to get involved in, so by ignoring Europe's elections, Americans won't be all upset when things occur. Maybe Europe needs to be more autonomous against any perceived threats, and stop looking to the U.S. as the perennial Daddy Warbucks. Just a thought.

We had the federal elections here last Sunday, decided with our votes (we have two) how the 19th German Bundestag (lower chamber of the parliament) would be composed.

The next Chancellor will be elected by said Bundestag.

Translated from our "Grundgesetz ("Basic Law"/Constitution)

That is October 24 as latest.

Thanks, Walter.

Were you surprised at the AfD's showing or did you see it coming?

I suppose congratulations are in order; Merkel seems like a comparatively stable leader.

I've expected a rise of this extreme right-wing party (hoped for not, of course).

Actually, I don't think that Merkel is a strong leader in her party - but I don't really about her position.
If the four parties are able to form a coalition, at least the Alliance 90/The Greens could give some "progressive" aspects in the new government (which will be led by Merkel as Chancellor, I suppose).