(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - The two conservative parties in the German coalition government represented by chancellor Angela Merkel have increased their support this month, according to a poll by Forsa released by Stern and RTL. 38 per cent of respondents would vote for the Christian-Democratic Union (CDU) or the Bavarian Christian-Social Party (CSU) in the next election to the Federal Diet, up three points since mid-February.

The Social Democratic Party (SPD) is second with 23 per cent—down six points since last month—followed by the Left Party (Linke) with 14 per cent, the Green Party (Grune) with 11 per cent, and the Free Democratic Party (FDP) with 10 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 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. 12, ahead of a highly-advertised visit by Merkel and a delegation of diplomats to Israel, the chancellor reiterated her commitment to help bring peace between Israelis and Palestinians, saying, "This year of the 60th anniversary of the State of Israel is a great joy, but the worry is also great because of constant threats to peace." Merkel stated that she would "not let go" of her efforts to push for a bilateral agreement, "even if we have doubts, because there is no alternative to our efforts for a two-state solution."

Polling Data

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

Source: Forsa / Stern / RTL
Methodology: Interviews with 2,501 German adults, conducted from Mar. 3 to Mar. 7, 2008. Margin of error is 2.5 per cent.

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