Resumen

HILDEBRANDT, Cornelia. Left Strategies in the Berlin Government: The Vivantes Experience. Revista Venezolana de Economía y Ciencias Sociales [online]. 2006, vol.12, n.2, pp.171-181. ISSN 20030507.

This article analyzes the political situation in Germany after the elections celebrated in September 2005. The election results revealed the fragility of the two parties that have dominated the political scene since the Second World War, the social democratic SPD and the Christian democratic CDU. They also indicated the presence of a new left-wing political actor as a result of an alliance between Party for Democratic Socialism (PDS) and a split-off from the SPD (WASG). Within this context, the article discusses the potential relevance for the new left-wing party, of the PDS experience in Berlin since 2001, as the minor partner in a government coalition dominated by the SPD. Special attention is directed towards the problem of how to confront the problem of the health system because the defense of health rights is fundamental for any left-wing party, while the recent Schroeder government emphasized the need to rationalize health expenditure in view of the overall fiscal crisis. The author examines how PDS responsibility for the Health Ministry in the Berlin government was reflected in the measures adopted.

Palabras clave : Germany; Berlin; Party for Democratic Socialism (PDS); Health; Left.