The last thing Germany – and Europe – needs is a grand coalition | Timothy Garton Ash

A deal between Angela Merkel and the Social Democrats sounds appealing. But it would open the door to extremists

Sunday 4 March will be a turning point for Europe. On the same day as an important general election in Italy we’ll find out whether an internal referendum of German Social Democrat party members has produced a yes for the grand coalition government in Berlin, continuing its current partnership with Angela Merkel’s Christian Democrats.

Conventional wisdom says this would be a good result for Europe. I think the conventional wisdom is wrong. Like putting on a medical corset to alleviate a serious back condition then carrying on with your life just as before, a grand coalition would be good in the short term but bad in the long. You need to address the causes, not just the symptoms. And there is an alternative.

Related: SPD set for new leader as main German parties look to promote youth

The worst argument of all for a grand coalition is that there is no alternative

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