(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – Germany’s Social Democratic Party (SPD) has regained some lost ground, according to a poll by FG Wahlen released by ZDF. 25 per cent of respondents would vote for the SPD in the next election to the Federal Diet, up four points since mid-October.
(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – Germany’s Social Democratic Party (SPD) has regained some lost ground, according to a poll by FG Wahlen released by ZDF. 25 per cent of respondents would vote for the SPD in the next election to the Federal Diet, up four points since mid-October.
The governing Christian-Democratic Union (CDU) and its associate Bavarian Christian-Social Party (CSU) remain in first place with 35 per cent. The Free Democratic Party (FDP) is third with 12 per cent, followed by the Left Party (Linke) with 11 per cent, and the Green Party (Grune) with 11 per cent.
In November 2005, CDU leader Angela Merkel was sworn in as Germany’s first female head of government following a federal election. Her "Grand Coalition" administration featured members of the CDU, CSU and SPD.
In September, German voters participated in a new federal election. Final results gave the CDU-CSU 33.8 per cent of the vote and 239 seats, followed by the SPD with 23 per cent and 146 mandates. This time, Merkel invited the FDP to form a government. FDP leader Guido Westerwelle serves as foreign minister.
On Nov. 26, Wolfgang Schneiderhan, the German army’s chief of staff, tendered his resignation after it became known that more than 30 Afghan civilians died in a botched air strike involving German soldiers serving in that country. German defence minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg said that Schneiderhan had "released himself from his duties at his own request."
Germans continue to question the circumstances of the air strike and the alleged cover-up that ensued.
On Dec. 17, SDP leader Sigmar Gabriel accused Guttenberg of "lying" to the German people, adding, "Just to make a good impression on the public, he simply threw out a well-respected general."
Polling Data
What party would you vote for in the next federal election?
|
|
Dec. 10 |
Oct. 15 |
|
Christian-Democratic Union (CDU) / |
35% |
38% |
|
Social Democratic Party (SPD) |
25% |
21% |
|
Free Democratic Party (FDP) |
12% |
14% |
|
Left Party (Linke) |
11% |
12% |
|
Green Party (Grune) |
11% |
11% |
Source: FG Wahlen / ZDF
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,221 German adults, conducted from Dec. 8 to Dec. 10, 2009. Margin of error is 3.1 per cent.
