[eiji]

I like that thought:

   influx of a generation of Germans raised under "socialism" has strengthened the base of voters valuing economic stability

An interesting point. What is also important, Germany is not an Two-party system, and elections happen basically all the time. For a long time I thought this was bad, but start to believe it's a strength. The strong left wing, always short just a few votes, keeps the other forces in check.