Keep Us Strong WikiLeaks logo

Currently released so far... 51122 / 251,287

Articles

Browse latest releases

Browse by creation date

Browse by origin

A B C D F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z

Browse by tag

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Browse by classification

Community resources

courage is contagious

Viewing cable 06BERLIN2748, SPD WINS BERLIN ELECTION; OUTCOME REFLECTS LOCAL

If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs

Understanding cables
Every cable message consists of three parts:
  • The top box shows each cables unique reference number, when and by whom it originally was sent, and what its initial classification was.
  • The middle box contains the header information that is associated with the cable. It includes information about the receiver(s) as well as a general subject.
  • The bottom box presents the body of the cable. The opening can contain a more specific subject, references to other cables (browse by origin to find them) or additional comment. This is followed by the main contents of the cable: a summary, a collection of specific topics and a comment section.
To understand the justification used for the classification of each cable, please use this WikiSource article as reference.

Discussing cables
If you find meaningful or important information in a cable, please link directly to its unique reference number. Linking to a specific paragraph in the body of a cable is also possible by copying the appropriate link (to be found at theparagraph symbol). Please mark messages for social networking services like Twitter with the hash tags #cablegate and a hash containing the reference ID e.g. #06BERLIN2748.
Reference ID Created Released Classification Origin
06BERLIN2748 2006-09-18 12:17 2011-08-24 01:00 UNCLASSIFIED Embassy Berlin
VZCZCXRO5970
RR RUEHAST
DE RUEHRL #2748 2611217
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 181217Z SEP 06
FM AMEMBASSY BERLIN
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 5305
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
RUCNFRG/FRG COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS BERLIN 002748 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV GM
SUBJECT: SPD WINS BERLIN ELECTION; OUTCOME REFLECTS LOCAL 
FACTORS 
 
REF: BERLIN 2546 
 
1. (U) As widely expected, Berlin's SPD won the Sept. 17 
state election, taking 30.9 percent of the vote, up slightly 
since the 2001 election.  The SPD will have the option of 
forming a government with either the Left Party.PDS or the 
Greens, both of which took just over 13 percent of the vote. 
Either coalition will have only a one-vote majority in the 
Berlin legislature.  Before the election, Mayor Wowereit 
(SPD) had indicated a preference for renewing the coalition 
with the Left Party.PDS.  The conservative Christian 
Democrats, led by Defense State Secretary Friedbert Pflueger, 
performed poorly, taking only 21.2 percent, down slightly 
from 2001.  Likewise, the liberal Free Democrats also lost 
votes, taking only 7.6 percent. 
 
2. (U) The poll was marked by a very low turnout of only 59 
percent of voters and by the high percent of the vote (nearly 
14) given to parties which did not clear the 5 percent hurdle 
for entry into parliament.  The latter enables the SPD to 
gain a majority of seats with either the LP.PDS or Greens, 
despite having under 45 percent of the popular vote with 
either party.  In addition, the far-right NPD performed 
slightly better than expected, gaining seats in four Berlin 
district assemblies, including one in the west. 
 
3. (U) Comment: Though the NPD performed slightly better than 
expected in some districts, city-wide the party fell far 
below the five percent hurdle for election to the state 
parliament.  The election should also not be seen as a 
referendum on the national government or Chancellor Merkel. 
Local factors, especially CDU internal weaknesses and the CDU 
mayoral candidate's lack of personal appeal, more than 
account for the CDU's poor result.  End Comment. 
TIMKEN JR