(Angus Reid Global Scan) – Many adults in Germany believe the next federal administration should encompass the European country’s two biggest political organizations, according to a poll by Infratest-Dimap. 39 per cent of respondents support a government with the Christian-Democratic Union (CDU), the Bavarian Christian-Social Party (CSU) and the Social Democratic Party (SPD), up four points in a w
(Angus Reid Global Scan) – Many adults in Germany believe the next federal administration should encompass the European country’s two biggest political organizations, according to a poll by Infratest-Dimap. 39 per cent of respondents support a government with the Christian-Democratic Union (CDU), the Bavarian Christian-Social Party (CSU) and the Social Democratic Party (SPD), up four points in a week.
On Jul. 1, current chancellor and SPD member Gerhard Schroeder deliberately lost a no-confidence motion in the Federal Diet after a 151-296 vote, with 148 abstentions. A federal election has been scheduled for Sept. 18.
In May, the CDU selected leader Angela Merkel as its chancellor candidate. Recent voting intention polls suggest that the Christian Democrats and the Free Democratic Party (FDP) might be able to elect enough lawmakers to the 603-seat Federal Diet to form the next administration. 28 per cent of respondents would prefer this coalition.
The current governing alliance of the SPD and the Green Party (Grune) garners the backing of 17 per cent of respondents, while nine per cent would like to see the recently created Left Party (Linke)—which merges the Party of Democratic Socialism (PDS) and the Electoral Alternative for Labour and Social Justice (WASG)—join the SPD and Grune.
Earlier this month, current economy minister and SPD member Wolfgang Clement expressed support for a joint government with the Christian Democrats, saying, “A ‘Grand Coalition’ is no fall of man, but a democratic way that might open up chances.”
SPD chairman Franz Muentefering used a soccer metaphor to play down talk of a coalition, saying, “We have seven more minutes to score two goals. Talking about who will shower with whom after the game or who will play next time is nonsense.”
In an interview with Bild, Merkel suggested she would not agree to a coalition with the Social Democrats, saying, “One can’t govern with the SPD and its inner instability. Whoever wants to prevent (a ‘Grand Coalition’) has to vote CDU.”
In 1966, the CDU’s Kurt Georg Kiesinger governed with the support of the Social Democrats.
Polling Data
Which of these four possible coalitions would you prefer to be in charge of the federal government?
Aug. 16 | Aug.10 | Aug. 3 | |
“Grand Coalition” | 39% | 35% | 39% |
“Black-Yellow Coalition” | 28% | 28% | 29% |
“Red-Green Coalition” | 17% | 17% | 14% |
“Red-Red-Green Coalition” | 9% | 8% | 10% |
Source: Infratest-Dimap
Methodology: Telephone interviews to 1,000 German voters, conducted on Aug. 15 and Aug. 16, 2005. Margin of error is 3.1 per cent.
