Farewell to Oskar

[Johannes Schneider]

Brad De Long wrote:
>And no one has yet explained to me why Lafontaine did resign...
OK, lets try a different approach:
Perhaps there is really no explanation in the realm of political science,
though German papers are full of all kind speculation. Looking for some
political reason my first thought was thats a Barschel sort of thing.
Perhaps Lafontaine was blackmailed by the some evil forces who found out
some black spots in his past. But explanations like that are more for the
fans of conspiracy theories.
Today I can see only an explanation on strictly personal reasons. Lafontaine
is 55, has been divorced several times and has a two years old son. Though
he loved his power, he was just fed up with all the fighting with Schroeder
and co. Cant you imagine how great it would be a pensioneer and doing all
what you would like to do. Only a few people can afford to do so, but
Lafontaine certainly can. In Germany retired politicians dont have to think
about there future.
Something else I could imagine what had an influence on Lafontaine was the
way how the career of his wife got damaged by his post. She had to refuse
interesting job offers to avoid the impression of getting the post just
because she is Mrs.Lafontaine (and not Christa Müller). Being an economist
she made a few TV appereances after the elections, critisicing the
Bundesbank and telling that the Central Bankers arenot 'soncrosanct'.
Immediately she was
portayed in the tabloid press as the witch behind the bad boy. Since than
she did not appear on TV again.
Johannes