They don't have one. The long slog through uncharted territory inherent in the American understanding of "trail" does not translate well. There is no mystic trail here like the Oregon Trail, or the Natchez Trail, to lend an aura of adventure to political campaigning. All the other trails the Germans came up with in the past century somehow run straight across other countries and have been thoroughly discredited.
Both space, measured in krautmiles (km), and cultural framework do not make a German general election campaign much of an excitement or a nuisance by American standards.
The German campaign trail looks more like a campaign autobahn, with wide lanes for lots of participants, decent sign posts and exit ramps, and the occasional "ghost driver", the rogue who gets on, causes confusion and maybe a collision.
This being said, we finally have exciting news out of Bavaria.
The governing conservative CSU wants to establish a new Homeland Ministry.
The charter of the new government agency would be to bring government closer to the people, move responsibilities and funds back closer to the people.
We love the idea of a government agency charged with reducing government, it is so quaint and opens up opportunities for Job Enrichment. Unhappy with the European Union banning incandescent light bulbs?
Let's create a new agency!
Once the election is over, cynics expect the plans to disappear into a filing cabinet until the next big election.
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