The FDP can only support the position of the CDU , if the coalition is maintained. Should they go back together with the SPD there would also be little change in their foreign policy stance, especially if they wish to retain the foreign ministry. Any inclusion of the Greens in a government coalition, would tend to strengthen the conservative wing of the party under Mr. Fischer. The anti- NATO tones that have been heard from the left wing party members should be muted in the interests of the entire party. If the dominant parties maintain their preelection positions, the PDS will not be invited to form a national government.
Polls support a third concern for the future.
The majority of Germans over 50 support a North Atlantic Alliance first and European integration second. Those under 50 tend to reverse this priority. We can accept this phenomena as accurate and still argue that the predilection of those under 50 need not mean less support for NATO . Rather, that it means a new equality within the Alliance, with a more unified European foreign and security policy position in NATO to complement the North American position. Germans want a European face on their foreign policy, but not at the expense of NATO .