(06/28/10) -

Merkels Conservatives Lose Backing in Germany

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – The allied parties in Germany’s governing coalition are being chastised by the public, according to a poll by FG Wahlen released by ZDF. 33 per cent of respondents would vote for the Christian-Democratic Union (CDU) or its sister Bavarian Christian-Social Party (CSU) in the next election to the Federal Diet, down five points since late April.

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – The allied parties in Germany’s governing coalition are being chastised by the public, according to a poll by FG Wahlen released by ZDF. 33 per cent of respondents would vote for the Christian-Democratic Union (CDU) or its sister Bavarian Christian-Social Party (CSU) in the next election to the Federal Diet, down five points since late April.

The Free Democratic Party (FDP), junior partner in the governing coalition, is last with only five per cent. The Social Democratic Party (SPD) is in second place with 31 per cent, followed by the Green Party (Grune) with 15 per cent, and the Left Party (Linke) with 10 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.

Germany has enacted an austerity plan in the face of the global economic downturn. The FDP has been urged for additional tax relief, but Merkel has resisted such calls so far. On Jun. 24, the chancellor declared: "We’ll enact the measures that we’ve agreed upon. (…) I believe we should not let up."

Polling Data

What party would you vote for in the next federal election?