(Angus Reid Global Scan) - The Christian-Democratic Union (CSU) and the Bavarian Christian-Social Party (CSU) are the top political organizations in Germany, according to a poll by Infratest-Dimap. 47 per cent of respondents would vote for the coalition in the next federal election.

The governing Social Democratic Party (SPD) of chancellor Gerhard Schroeder is second with 29 per cent, followed by the Green Party (Grune) with eight per cent, the Free Democratic Party (FDP) with six per cent, and the Party of Democratic Socialism (PDS) with five per cent.

On May 22, the Christian Democrats won the election in North Rhine-Westphalia with 44.8 per cent of the vote. The Social Democrats had been involved in the government of Germany's most populous state since 1966. While the next parliamentary ballot was tentatively scheduled for September 2006, Schroeder has openly suggested holding an early federal election. A confidence vote is expected before the end of the legislative period on Jul. 1.

On May 30, the CDU officially named current leader Angela Merkel as its chancellor candidate. For the past six months, voting intention polls have consistently suggested that the Christian Democrats and the FDP could elect enough lawmakers to the 603-seat Federal Diet to form the next administration.

Schroeder's government has been affected by Germany's highest jobless ratio since the 1930s. The country's unemployment rate was 11.8 per cent in March, meaning 4.8 million adults are looking for work.

There is growing speculation that the federal election could be scheduled for Sept. 18. On May 30, Merkel said the party's platform would be unveiled on Jul. 11, adding, "Finding ways to create jobs for the people of Germany will be at the centre of my efforts." Germany has never had a female head of government.

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