Our polling stations closed at 8 pm last night. Most votes have been counted but some remain, and all will be re-counted one more time before we get the final figures - which won't be until Wednesday night or even Thursday.
So far it points to the Social Democrats getting the first chance of forming a new government together with (or supported by) three smaller parties - but as all of the parties "on that side" (center/green/left) aren't 100% "best buddies" either, that is likely to take some diplomacy and negotiating in itself. I'm hoping they will be able to reach some kind of compromise in the end - but forming a new government is probably (again) going to take time.
The photo above (and below) is of a horse chestnut tree in the cemetery that I passed on my walk today. The chestnuts are still enclosed in green and spiky shells - only a very few have yet fallen to the ground and opened up.
Horse chestnuts are not edible. In Britain I know they're called "conkers" and are used in a game by the same name - played by two players. With a conker threaded onto a piece of string they take turns striking each other's conker until one breaks.
How my brain came to associate horse chestnuts with politics I leave to my readers to figure out for yourselves... ;)
This Conker game sounds hilarious! The things people think of...
ReplyDeleteGinny, I don't think I've ever actually seen it played - only read about it!
DeleteThe association might be the two parties striking at each other until one breaks or gives in. I surprised myself by recognising the Horse Chestnut tree and fruit.
ReplyDeleteRiver, it does feel a lot like that just now. (Certain parties vowed not to reign with certain others - but if we're going to get a government at all, they'll have to...)
DeleteIt's a very apt comparison!
ReplyDeleteDuring my recent holiday in Austria, I found the first horse chestnut on the ground. Of course them being up in the mountains, autumn and cooler temperatures arrive earlier than where I live, but looking at the many horse chestnut trees in my town I guess it won't take long before they fall to the ground here, too. Same with walnuts, they look as good as ready for harvesting.
Meike, no walnut trees here so I can't compare with those!
DeleteWe picked up our first conkers of the season in the past couple of days. The game was key in the school playground, everyone played it, each time your conker smashed another it added to the tally , everyone wanted the highest number, these days children are not allowed to play in school, too dangerous. After you drilled a hole for the string, often they would be baked in the oven to harden them. Marlene
ReplyDeleteMarlene, I've never actually seen or even heard of anyone playing conkers here, I've only know about it from books! I'm thinking maybe some politicians could find it an alternative to just hitting one another with words, though... ;)
DeleteThe close election and the prospect of delicate coalition negotiations provide an atmosphere of uncertainty, beautifully contrasted by the quiet autumnal horse chestnut tree, still holding its green, spiky fruit in the cemetery.
ReplyDeleteThanks Ro. The votes counted now, the next phase of the "game" begins... (I.e. actually trying to form a new government...)
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