Angus Reid Global Monitor : Polls & Research

Conservative Parties Stay Ahead in Germany

June 28, 2008
Abstract: (Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Support for the Christian-Democratic Union (CDU) and the Bavarian Christian-Social Party (CSU) is still high in Germany, according to a poll by Forsa released by Stern and RTL. 36 per cent of respondents would vote for either party in the next election to the Federal Diet.

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Support for the Christian-Democratic Union (CDU) and the Bavarian Christian-Social Party (CSU) is still high in Germany, according to a poll by Forsa released by Stern and RTL. 36 per cent of respondents would vote for either party in the next election to the Federal Diet.

The Social Democratic Party (SPD) is second with 22 per cent, followed by the Left Party (Linke) with 15 per cent, the Free Democratic Party (FDP) with 13 per cent, and the Green Party (Grune) with nine per cent.

Official results from the September 2005 election to the Federal Diet gave the CDU and the CSU 226 seats, with the SPD a close second with 222 legislators. Neither of the two main parties was able to assemble a coalition government with their preferred partners. In November 2005, CDU leader Angela Merkel was sworn in as Germany’s first female head of government. The current administration includes members of the CDU, CSU and SPD.

On Jun. 21, Beck commented on published reports that members of the SPD are "secretly pressing" him to step aside before the next federal election to allow foreign minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier to taker over. Beck declared: "Criticism from people who won’t give their names doesn’t interest me. Either it is untrue or it is divisive and cowardly. I won’t hide behind a tree because it’s more comfortable there. I will remain standing even if on some days it isn’t enjoyable."

Germany’s next federal ballot is tentatively scheduled for September 2009.

Polling Data

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

 

Jun. 20

Jun. 13

Jun. 6

Christian-Democratic Union (CDU) /
Bavarian Christian-Social Party (CSU)

36%

36%

35%

Social Democratic Party (SPD)

22%

21%

20%

Left Party (Linke)

15%

14%

15%

Free Democratic Party (FDP)

13%

13%

14%

Green Party (Grune)

9%

11%

11%

Source: Forsa / Stern / RTL
Methodology: Interviews with 1,000 German adults, conducted on Jun. 19 and Jun. 20, 2008. Margin of error is 2.5 per cent.