Merkel profile dominant in Germany but politics still in flux
The latest opinion polls in Germany show Angela Merkel at her most popular. But her governing coalition partner FDP will almost certainly miss the 5% hurdle in Germany’s general election, leaving the political landscape very uncertain.
Merkel, as a political figure, has gone from strength to strength, with her personal poll numbers consistently showing widespread popularity amongst the German electorate. This has puled her party up to its highest poll numbers since Merkel’s election as Chancellor in 2005. Right now, the CDU/CSU parties are polling at 42% for this year’s general election while the challenging SPD party is only polling at 25%. That puts Merkel in the best position to form a government after the election.
The problem for Merkel is that her FDP coalition partner’s standing in the electorate has plummeted in recent years. Right now, they are polling at a measly 2% – and will miss the 5% hurdle that throws them out of the German Bundestag in all likelihood. That means that the Chancellor cannot reach a 50% governing coalition majority with the present governing configuration of CDU, CSU and FDP if current polls were to hold.
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About Edward Harrison
Edward Harrison is the founder of Credit Writedowns and a former career diplomat, investment banker and technology executive with over twenty years of business experience. He is also a regular economic and financial commentator on BBC World News, CNBC Television, Business News Network, CBC, Fox Television and RT Television. He speaks six languages and reads another five, skills he uses to provide a more global perspective. Edward holds an MBA in Finance from Columbia University and a BA in Economics from Dartmouth College. Edward also writes a premium financial newsletter. Sign up here for a free trial.
