Potential government partners: Are you still sorting – or are you already exploring?

What is happening in the government district right now? Are these exploratory talks or just a preliminary stage? About the intricacies of the tactical rapprochement between the potential government partners.

There is talk – that much is already certain. And that means: now many have to speak to each other who until recently campaigned against each other. But now it’s about finding common ground. It is best to build bridges at the beginning, says Bonn politics professor Volker Kronenberg.

Details come later: After all: The leaders of the Greens and the FDP are already talking to each other and making sure that everyone gets it with a selfie. “In the beginning it’s about finding bridges,” says Kronenberg. That was also the subtext of this selfie: “We have already recognized bridges.”

From general to specific

Although it can get more difficult very quickly after the first preliminary exploration. “Then it’s about such questions as taxes up or down,” says Kronenberg. Questions would arise about the top tax rate or about wealth tax and finances. “But that only comes at the end. You will find compromises.” This also applies to controversial topics such as the speed limit: “Some say no, others say speed 130.”

Are you already probing – or are you still sorting your way around? Professor Markus Voeth from the negotiation academy “Negotiation Academy” in Potsdam is researching the subtleties between the various levels of tactical approximation. “Probing means that you first look at what might fit. And sorting means that you basically look for the right partner,” he explains. It is just normal procedures, normal stages in a negotiation process, going from general to specific.

Lots of options

Key data first, exact topics later, dots behind the comma then at the end. And it’s best not to bring personnel issues to the negotiating table right from the start. Incidentally, the Greens and FDP learned from the mistakes of the failed Jamaica talks four years ago, says Voeth. “What is special is that this time the explorations on different coalition options are apparently taking place at the same time.”

That is different from four years ago. At that time, the one possible coalition of the Union, Greens and FDP was basically only worked through – which failed. Thereafter, the talks on the grand coalition were completely restarted.

So don’t put everything on one option first and then, if that fails, have to start over. Incidentally, Voeth would advise the SPD to do the same. From his point of view, it could at least hint at the possibility of a grand coalition. That would put pressure on the Greens and the FDP.

“Build up trust”

In the current situation, Voeth has three main tips for the parties: build trust, avoid indiscretion, and keep room for maneuver open. The SPD is ready to speak, but has to wait until the Greens and FDP have time for them. The Union hardly appears to be able to speak. The question: Are you already exploring or are you still sorting yourself out, each party answers very differently at the moment.

While many were surprised that the FDP and the Greens were already in talks, others had known for a long time: Politics professor Andrea Römmele heard about it before the election. “You heard here and there in Berlin that the Greens and the FDP are already getting closer. In order to then, so to speak, go into coalition talks with the SPD or CDU,” she says.

Will the voters go with you?

That could be exciting because a lot more negotiating skills are required, says Römmele. And then of course each party would have to pay attention to one thing: “I won’t lose my voters either.” Rommel does not believe that negotiations will be easy. “How far do my voters go and where is the line that I am not allowed to cross?”

Don’t build up so many red lines, that would also be advice that negotiation experts often give. Some of those involved would have to come close to such lines first.