(05/25/10) -

Coalition Partner FDP is Dead Last in Germany

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – The junior partner in Germany’s ruling coalition is the least popular party in the country, according to a poll by Forsa released by Stern and RTL. Only six per cent of respondents would vote for the pro-business Free Democratic Party (FDP) in the next election to the Federal Diet, down one point since mid-February.

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – The junior partner in Germany’s ruling coalition is the least popular party in the country, according to a poll by Forsa released by Stern and RTL. Only six per cent of respondents would vote for the pro-business Free Democratic Party (FDP) in the next election to the Federal Diet, down one point since mid-February.

The governing Christian-Democratic Union (CDU) and Bavarian Christian-Social Party (CSU) remain in first place with 32 per cent, followed by the Social Democratic Party (SPD) with 27 per cent, the Green Party (Grune) with 17 per cent, and the Left Party (Linke) 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 2009, 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 May 21, German lawmakers approved a pan-European rescue package for the euro worth close to $941 billion U.S. The governing coalition favoured the bill.

During the debate preceding the vote, SDP leader Sigmar Gabriel chided Merkel’s leadership during the European Union (EU) economic crisis, saying, "You have no line, no aim and you don’t know where you are taking this country or Europe."

Polling Data

What party would you support in Germany’s next federal election?