(Angus Reid Global Scan) - The coalition of the Christian-Democratic Union (CSU) and the Bavarian Christian-Social Party (CSU) is the most popular political group in Germany, according to a poll by Infratest-Dimap. 42 per cent of respondents would vote for the alliance in the next federal election.

The governing Social Democratic Party (SPD) of chancellor Gerhard Schroeder is second with 27 per cent, followed by the Left Party (Linke) with 12 per cent, the Green Party (Grune) with nine per cent, and the Free Democratic Party (FDP) with seven per cent.

On Jul. 1, Schroeder deliberately lost a no-confidence motion in the Federal Diet after a 151-296 vote, with 148 abstentions. In a Jul. 21 televised address, German president Horst Koehler agreed to hold an early ballot, saying, "In this serious situation, our country needs a government that can pursue its goals with steadiness and vigour. For this, the federal government requires the support of a reliable majority that is able to function."

On Jul. 17, the Party of Democratic Socialism (PDS) and the Electoral Alternative for Labour and Social Justice (WASG) agreed to contest the election under the Linke banner.

The CDU has named Angela Merkel as its chancellor candidate. Germany has never had a female head of government.

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