The SPD finally launched its campaign Web site and it is pretty cool. Gerhard Schröder dominates the home page, and looks convincing playing the role of the forceful leader. Today the party also released its Election Manifesto (entire 40 page pdf can be downloaded here). On the Web site there is a big effort to separate the SPD from the politics of soziale Kälte ("social indifference") of the CDU/FDP on the right, and the populist demagogues Oskar Lafontaine and Gregor Gysi of the Left Party on the left.
In terms of concrete programs, the Manifesto can be summarized in five points:
- Labor: Hartz IV will be changed to provide unemployment support for a longer period while increasing the monthly amount of the payments.
- Wages: The system of sector-wide collective bargaining will not be restructured, but the SPD will introduce a minimum wage for those industries not covered by collective bargaining (such as the German employees of Wal-Mart).
- Health Care: The SPD will address the chronic shortfall in cash in the system by requiring contributions from civil servant employees and self-employed individuals.
- Education: The SPD would provide Kindergarten for all children from the age of two at no expense. Connected to this would be expanded maternity leave benefits (an effort to address the demographic problems.)
- Taxes: The SPD would soak the rich, raising the tax rate on all persons earning € 250,000 (€500,000 for married couples) from 42% to 45%.
FInally, after 7 years the party is addressing the problems of domestic consumption. Too bad Schröder squandered his time in power; it’s too late for a comeback. The people want change.
