Support for German coalition parties hits record lows - poll

 

German Chancellor Angela Merkel holds a news conference in The Hague, the Netherlands October 10, 2018. REUTERS/Piroschka van de Wouw

 

BERLIN (Reuters) - Support for Angela Merkel's conservatives and their Social Democrat (SPD) coalition partner hit record lows, a survey showed on Thursday, as the German chancellor struggles to prevent her fractious government from falling apart.

 

Merkel's conservative CDU/CSU bloc and the SPD each saw their voter share fall by 3 percentage points, to 26 and 15 percent respectively, the DeutschlandTrend survey for broadcaster ARD showed.

 

They were the monthly survey's weakest ever figures for the coalition parties, ARD said.

 

The poll also relegated the SPD to fourth place, behind the pro-immigration Greens, up 3 percentage points on 17 percent, and the anti-immigration Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, unchanged on 16 percent.

 

The results chime with expectations that the CSU, the Bavarian sister party to Merkel's CDU, is heading for its worst showing in a state election in over 60 years on Sunday, a setback that risks widening divisions within the coalition.

 

Since it took office in March it has twice come close to collapsing, due to arguments over immigration and a scandal over accusations of far-right sympathies against Germany's former domestic spymaster.

 

The coalition is also embroiled in a row over how to phase out polluting diesel cars.

 

Pollster Infratest dimap conducted the survey of 1,508 people from Monday to Wednesday, ARD said.

 

(Reporting by Michael Nienaber, editing by John Stonestreet)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2018-10-12

Good.

Merkels time will soon be over.

 

Why do so many leaders cling to power until they either get booted out or destroy everything they worked for and then quit just before they get the boot.

Edited October 11, 20187 yr by ukrules

Great news

Good news, but the damage is already done.

They get what they deserve - but still not enough.

aaaaah...I came to right place, to see the sour grapes Merckel- haters rejoice!

8 hours ago, ukrules said:

Merkels time will soon be over.

 

Why do so many leaders cling to power until they either get booted out or destroy everything they worked for and then quit just before they get the boot.

The problem is she has no successor really. Only a few politicians with anti-globalization agendas. The German electorate (the "silent majority") is either absolutely careless or has an absolute anti-minority attitude (up to sheer racism) 

And that will break Germany's neck. 

16 hours ago, underlordcthulhu said:

Good.

Good to see you're as happy as I am about the rise of the pro-immigrant Green Party.

16 hours ago, ukrules said:

Merkels time will soon be over.

 

Why do so many leaders cling to power until they either get booted out or destroy everything they worked for and then quit just before they get the boot.

Limosines? Private jets? Fine cuisine? Media spotlight? Flunkeys kissing your behind? How intoxicating must that be?

Yes, you get the richly rewarded seats on companies and speaking engagements later on, but it is hardly the same. Just look at Blair and Cameron, for instance...

1 hour ago, bristolboy said:

Good to see you're as happy as I am about the rise of the pro-immigrant Green Party.

I'm actually sad about that ????