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“If a grand coalition is able to reach agreement on a few points such as the campaign against unemployment, the safeguard of social welfare systems and the reform of federalism, and the reforms were truly to be decided on the basis of consensus, society too would give its approval”, declared Bishop Reinhard Marx of Trier on 10 October, during an interview with the DPA German press agency. Marx emphasized that “citizens have a need to perceive anew that they are not being abandoned, or left to cope alone, in their existential risks”. “Citizens must have the security of being convinced that the political reforms are fair and that they also give a chance to future generations”, he continued. According to Monsignor Marx, the outcome of the elections has shown that electors want a market economy characterized not only by “economic success, but also with a social dimension. Both aspects are indispensable, because a society without a welfare state becomes economically inefficient in the long term. Security for existential risks must exist in the community”, he urged. The bishop of Trier lamented the lack of a positive attitude to life in the country and he added: “Christians must encourage their neighbours. The Church must not reinforce an attitude of defeatism but must instil people with courage. The country has a mindset that we can all help change”. Meanwhile, on the same day, the two main German parties, Cdu-Csu and Spd, reached an agreement on the formation of a new government: the Christian-Democrat Angela Merkel, the first woman Chancellor, will head the “Grand Coalition”.
