After the end of his traffic light coalition, a possible new election date is being discussed in Germany. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz was thinking of March, CDU leader Friedrich Merz wants to go to the polls in January. Federal Returning Officer Ruth Brand is not enthusiastic about either proposal – due to a lack of paper!
She believes that the Germans simply do not have enough paper to hold new elections quickly. In the “Tagesschau” Brand complained that nowadays it was a “major challenge to actually purchase the paper and carry out the printing jobs”.
Citizens want to donate paper
Mockery about Germany’s inability to organize new elections – France recently managed to do so within three months – did not take long to appear on social media.
Many users registered who wanted to donate a piece of paper. Others explained what Ruth had said in “Sendung mit der Maus” style. ‘This is Rutte. Ruth is the federal returning officer. When an election comes around, Ruth provides ballots so people can vote. Now Ruth says that if there are early elections, she will not be able to obtain papers so quickly. Ruth is an election official in Germany, not Haiti.”
Maybe Austria can help?
Liberal Austrian politician Norbert Hofer joked that “Austria could help with non-sticky envelopes from 2016.” Incorrect voting cards were in circulation in Austria during the 2016 federal presidential elections. At this point, the two sheets of paper taped together to form an envelope were separated over large portions of the intended gluing zone.
Memes are already spreading that former toilet paper preppers could now be helpful and reduce their supply a bit.
“Scandalous and shameful”
Brand also faced the wrath of CDU Secretary General Carsten Linnemann. He complained in the newspaper ‘Bild’: ‘The statements of the Federal Returning Officer are scandalous and shameful and are a reflection of what is going on in Germany.’
What the returning officer says is unacceptable. Linnemann: “A country like Germany should be able to hold elections within 60 days.”
In any case, a battle plan should be drawn up on Monday, when federal and state election officials meet. According to surveys, a clear majority of Germans are in favor of snap elections: in the ZDF’s “Politbarometer,” 54 percent wanted an earlier date; Like Scholz, 30 percent support a new election in March
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
