(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - German chancellor Angela Merkel enjoys a great deal of public support in her country, according to a poll by Infratest-Dimap. 69 per cent of respondents are satisfied with Merkel's performance, while 37 per cent feel the same way about Social Democratic Party (SPD) leader Kurt Beck.

Official results from the September 2005 election to the Federal Diet gave the Christian-Democratic Union (CDU) and the Bavarian Christian-Social Party (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.

Each European Union (EU) member state presides over the Council of the EU for a period of six months, in accordance with a pre-established rotation. In January, Germany took over these responsibilities from Finland. Germany is also chair of the G-8 group of industrialized countries.

In a recent visit to Rwanda, Beck talked about the government's efforts to assist Africa in matters of economy and development, declaring, "We have implemented some 1,400 projects, and others will follow. We have other plans here in the area of energy supply, economic contacts and the exchange of members of the media."

Beck, whose visit to Rwanda coincided with the G-8 summit in Germany, said he believes small-scale projects have a lot more impact on real change in Africa than larger, mainly political meetings like the summit, adding, "Structural and economic support on a geographically smaller scale should be prioritized."

Polling Data

Are you satisfied or dissatisfied with the performance of Angela Merkel as chancellor?

Are you satisfied or dissatisfied with the performance of SPD leader Kurt Beck?

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