September 01, 2004

Abstract: (CPOD) Sept. 1, 2004 - The coalition of the Christian-Democratic Union (CDU) and the Bavarian Christian-Social Party (CSU) remains the top political group in Germany, according to a poll by FG Wahlen released by ZDF. 45 per cent of respondents would vote for the alliance in the next election to the Federal Diet.

(CPOD) Sept. 1, 2004 - The coalition of the Christian-Democratic Union (CDU) and the Bavarian Christian-Social Party (CSU) remains the top political group in Germany, according to a poll by FG Wahlen released by ZDF. 45 per cent of respondents would vote for the alliance in the next election to the Federal Diet.

The ruling Social Democratic Party (SPD) of chancellor Gerhard Schroeder remains in second place with 26 per cent. The Green Party (Grune) is third with 10 per cent, followed by the Free Democratic Party (FDP) and the Party of Democratic Socialism (PDS).

Last month, SPD chairman Franz Muentefering said the party is planning to eliminate a long-standing ban on national plebiscites in order to gauge public sentiment on the European Constitution. Muentefering said that, if existing regulations are successfully amended, "It could be possible to hold a referendum at the beginning of 2005."

Germany's 1948 Constitution prohibits holding referendums on national issues. CDU leader Angela Merkel favours the adoption of the European Constitution through Parliament.

The next parliamentary ballot is tentatively scheduled for September 2006.

Polling Data

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

	Aug. 2004	Jul. 2004
Christian-Democratic Union Bavarian Christian-Social (CDU-CSU)	45%	46%
Social Democratic Party (SPD)	26%	25%
Green Party (Grune)	10%	12%
Free Democratic Party (FDP)	6%	7%
Party of Democratic Socialism (PDS)	6%	5%

Source: FG Wahlen / ZDF
Methodology: Telephone interviews to 1,173 German adults, conducted from Aug. 20 to Aug. 24, 2004. Margin of error is 2.7 per cent.