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I don't know if i'd rather go Zentrum or Reichs Konservative... I mean, I really like Zentrum and the Catholic focus, and I think it's cool that they are trying to get a broader vote, but I really want Bismark and his Realpolitik. and I dont like how France is being punished... Then again, colonies sound nice. Argh! Stuc Anyone willing to convince me to go one way or the other?

Based on what you say, I'd vote Zentrum if I were you. You like their Catholic policies, plus you want colonies. That's two. Bismarck on the other hand, offers no colonies and is very anti-Catholic. In fact, the only reason to vote for the DRKP would be Bismarck himself. Zentrum wins 2 to 1.
 
DFP - Some of the colonies, Liberal.
NLP -Almost all of the colonies, Liberal.
Zentrum - One colony, Liberal/Center.
DKRP - None of the colonies, Conservative.
SDP - None of the colonies, Socialist.

Is how I'm seeing this election. :p
 
I vote for the Deutsche Forschrittspartei!

This is it! We shall have a slice of the African pie, and the final hurdle on the completion of Pan-Germanism! What's even better is the dismantling of the convoluted states we currently have in Germany. A country that is actually the "Prussian Empire" except in name. Support DFP and centralisation, my friends, and a Bavarian's or a Lubecker's voice will be equal to that of a Prussian!
 
I think Zentrum will grant us the best of both worlds. It keeps the door of a mild colonial mission open, choosing the middle way between expansionism and isolationism, which appears to be the outcome of Bismarck's latest proposals.
Most importantly, it will protect us inner strive and ensure that any coalition - whether liberal, or conservative - be grounded in reason.

That's my reason to vote for them anyway.
 
An early poll after 16 votes:

DFP: 6
DZP: 5
NLP: 2
DKRP: 2
SPD: 1 (0.5 in practice)

If the election were to end now the two liberal parties (DFP and NLP) would be able to form a government with a tiny majority. It seems that the most likely alternative to a liberal government at the moment is the DZP, potentially relying on an 'unholy' (or perhaps very holy) alliance with the conservatives against the radicalism of the liberals and socialists. That said this would be a much less comfortable fit that the potential liberal partnership. It could also be possible for the Centre to align with the liberals (more likely DFP than NLP) - but that would require a significant amount of concessions by the liberals (like the abandoning of the Kulturkampf for one thing!). We'll have to wait and see when more votes come in but this election looks interesting already!
 
Clearly therefore, a vote for Zentrum is a vote for Bismarck, and, with much irony, a vote for the NLP is an anti-Bismarck one. :)

The best hope for a Liberal Germany seems to be a DFP-led Liberal coalition.
 
Clearly therefore, a vote for Zentrum is a vote for Bismarck, and, with much irony, a vote for the NLP is an anti-Bismarck one. :)

The best hope for a Liberal Germany seems to be a DFP-led Liberal coalition.

To make myself more clear:

The DFP would have a very comfortable potential ally in the NLP and an rather uncomfortable on in the DZP.

The DZP would have a rather uncomfortable ally in the DFP and a slightly less uncomfortable one in the DKRP.
 
To make myself more clear:

The DFP would have a very comfortable potential ally in the NLP and an rather uncomfortable on in the DZP.

The DZP would have a rather uncomfortable ally in the DFP and a slightly less uncomfortable one in the DKRP.

Thus, the best hope for a Liberal Germany would be a DFP-led Liberal coalition.
 
IF you define a liberal Germany as a Germany with a strong, Berlin-based government that wages war on culture.. Then yes, perhaps.

No, that's the sort of government youi'd get if Zentrum decide to sell out their principles in pursuit of power, only to find themselves propping up the Bismarck dictatorship and rubber-stamping the sorts of policies which only a few years earlier they found themselves implacably opposed to.

It's happened before, people!
 
At this rate Kulturkampf will never end... damn the liberals and damn the conservatives too (to a lesser extent)

Hey, it was Bismarck who started the damned thing in the first place!
 
Yea, but now the liberals are pushing it the most.

Read the DKRP manifesto again, very, very closely. Look at what they are actually arguing for, and not the language they use to dress up their policies. Then go and read the DFP and NLP sections on the Kulturkampf. The only difference between Bismarck and the liberals is that the latter (or the DFP, at least) believe in secularisation whereas Bismarck does not. Contrary to the flowery language the DKRP use to dress up their manifesto, they still favour the same old Kulturkampf. Only the DZP and the SPD have a written commitment to ending the Kulturkampf.
 
It must be admitted that the DFP is at least open and truthful about its intentions concerning the Kulturkampf, namely a secularization of the state.
I disagree with them, for faith is strong and a good guide to government, but I respect the DFP for their general sense of integrity.

At this point I would personally prefer a coalition of DZP and DFP, with the one firm demand that the Kulturkampf múst end.
We shall see, it is an exciting race.
 
I would like to vote for Zentrum due to Catholic and Socialist policies but would rather prefer more colonies as opposed to Zentrum's peace. So, here goes: NLP. Sigh. You have swung me over, Tanzhang!
 
I would like to vote for Zentrum due to Catholic and Socialist policies but would rather prefer more colonies as opposed to Zentrum's peace. So, here goes: NLP. Sigh. You have swung me over, Tanzhang!

The only way to ensure that Germany annexes Madagascar is to have the NLP in a position to demand so. ;)