Government formation: “Groko”, “Schuko”, “Blackrot” – Name search for coalition

While the Union and SPD in Berlin are working on the formation of a possible joint government in difficult negotiations, this new coalition is already being discussed eagerly in the capital, as it should be called.

“Groko” stands for Merkel

Nobody wants to speak of a grand coalition due to the shrunk size of the Union and the SPD in the Bundestag. “A GroKo can no longer be called the planned coalition with these narrow majorities in parliament,” said CDU boss Friedrich Merz about “Bild”. In addition, the abbreviation stands for the reign of the Union and SPD with the then Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) and is therefore practically consumed.

Now several more or less serious names are circulating: The FDP politician Christian Dürr had already spoken of a “Schuko” as an abbreviation for “debt coalition” last week. Merz suggests: “Maybe black-red working coalition or coalition of departure and renewal.” SPD general secretary Matthias Miersch said in the NTV “early start” that the content was really more important to him. He was certain that the journalists would find a great name. There are no limits to creativity.

CDU general secretary Carsten Linnemann said in Berlin about the name question that it was crucial that it was worked. “I would say a simple-painting coalition.”

The brightest idea came from the former Greens boss Ricarda Lang with more than 10,000 likes at X. She proposed “Blackrot” there: Black for Schwarz (CDU/CSU), red for SPD. However, this also sounds strongly like “Blackrock”-Merz had worked in the US financial company before returning to politics. “Black red” is also the English name for black rot, a fungal disease in vines.