by André Nilsen

The claim by the CDU that it as the largest party has the right to name the chancellor and form a new government in the aftermath of the elections in Germany is not supported by any common understanding of parliamentarism. According to Western European parliamentary tradition it is not the largest party but rather the party that can command the support of a majority of the parliament that has this right. Against the backdrop of a clear centre-left majority in the new Bundestag the initiative therefore rests with the SPD.

OCGG Government Briefing No 5 (PDF)