Berlin Blog Question Three

3. How does the position of Chancellor compare to: the British Prime Minister and the US President?

Angela Merkel is on a plane of her own. If any news station covers a G-8 summit, there are seven black suits punctuated by a lone light gray pant suit. Walking beside Angela currently are British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and American President George W. Bush. They may all treat each other as equals in front of the camera, but they individually know whose power ranks where.
Gordon Brown can gloat over either of his colleges. Once elected, Mr. Brown only has to please his own party. Being chosen as a legislator from the winning party, Gordan simply needs to keep his (and his party's) approval ratings over fifty percent. The British prime minister is guaranteed a legislative majority, which allows all of the campaign promises to happen without any input from the opposition. Not only are the opposition politicians muffled, so are their supporters. If the Labor party receives 51% of the vote, the other voters' say really can be brushed off to the side, theoretically. Drew Scribner has recently said that the British system has been referred to as "an elected dictatorship." While that seems harsh, the legislative majority almost guarantees consensus and uniformed efficiency. To remove Gordon Brown, his party (and supporters) have to be willing to lose their power or voice in the government, which is almost always unwanted. So, while other heads of government have to press their legislative branches into seeing things his or her own way, the British system erases most gridlocking arguments and provides the prime minister with an air of invincibility and effectiveness.
Angela Merkel has lasted longer and has done better as Chancellor than mostly everyone predicted. Usually coalition governments consist of the winning party, one of the large parties, added with an ideologically similar small party (examples: SPD with the Greens, CDU/CSU with the FDP). With those two parties, the chancellor has a legislative majority and can fairly easily draft and pass legislation. However, Chancellor Merkel had to form a Grand Coalition. Joining up with the SPD has proven problematic, yet doable. Both parties have had large debates on how to run the government, thus far, but has lasted longer than the six months most political analysts had predicted. The strength of the chancellor comes from his or hers cabinet. The cabinet drafts the legislation, under broad outlines given by the chancellor, and usually has no problems passing if the cabinet can resolve the questions surrounding it. The German chancellor, indirectly, dictates the legislation. Other coalitions have had it easier by not having to compromise with their biggest rivals, yet Angela Merkel, a legislator that was chosen by her party again, has done very well. Her power may be in check right now, but she still is a large presence throughout the process. The Basic Law reflects the leeriness of a very powerful, single leader; so there are systems in place in order to balance power and influence. Angela Merkel is one of two leaders, although the president is mostly ceremonial (but can refuse to sign legislation). The biggest restrictions come from the Bundestag and the Bundesrat. The Bundesrat's veto power is now the most questionable aspect within the German system, as Angela Merkel must remind herself; something Gordon Brown does not have to deal with.
President George W. Bush is a notorious tough-talker, yet he has, technically, the less political power within the individual, national system, respectively. As public polling shows, his support is lessening from within his own party. The American president drafts no legislation, has no official input on what the legislation should be like or directed, and even if he (or she) were to veto any bill, the Congress has the constitutionally protected way to override the veto. While most congresspeople know the president's position on certain issues, their responsibility is to please their supporters. Similarly, we have a system of checks and balances and that usually falls to the Congress to deflate the presidential power. Presidents, and other politicians, have always felt obligated to appease their own party; yet, at a moment's will, the public can change matters. Therefore, everyone, from President George W. Bush to my local mayor, should remember they are obligated to solve their supporters' problems if they want to have power.
While all three countries' power within the international system is slightly different, the changes within their own states' borders are astronomical. Even with the "big red button" and being the leader of the superpower of the world, George W. Bush cannot outweigh 535 collective people. Gordon, as long as he remains true to the party and its members, has nothing to fear. Angela, who is in, arguably, the hardest position, has to not only compromise to get anything done, but must also please her truest supporters. Elections are the only force that can knock all three off of the very thin line they are currently walking.