(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - The Christian-Democratic Union (CDU) and the Bavarian Christian-Social Party (CSU) remain on top in Germany, according to a poll by Infratest-Dimap. 39 per cent of respondents would vote for the two ruling conservative parties in the next election to the Federal Diet, up one point since February.

The Social Democratic Party (SPD) is second with 28 per cent—down two points since last month—followed by the Left Party (Linke) with 12 per cent, the Green Party (Grune) with 10 per cent, and the Free Democratic Party (FDP) with eight 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 Mar 15, Merkel travelled to Russia to meet with outgoing Russian president Vladimir Putin and his elected successor, Dmitry Medvedev. The chancellor referred to bilateral ties, saying, "I think relations between Germany and Russia are very close. (...) We have found ways to discuss various, sometimes critical, matters openly. Sometimes it is a great joy, sometimes a challenge."

Polling Data

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

Source: Infratest-Dimap
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,500 German voters, conducted from Mar. 3 to Mar. 5, 2008. Margin of error is 3.1 per cent.

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