German federal election, 2009

Infobox Election
election_name = German federal election, 2009
country = Germany
type = legislative
ongoing = yes
party_colour = yes
previous_election = German federal election, 2005
previous_year = 2005
next_election = German federal election, 2013
next_year = 2013
seats_for_election = All seats of the Bundestag (600+)
election_date = Start date|2009|9|27


colour1 = 000000
nominee1 =
leader1 = Angela Merkel
party1 = CDU
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colour2 = FF0000
nominee2 =
leader2 = Frank-Walter Steinmeier
leader_since2 =
party2 = SPD
home_state2 =
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Minor Candidates
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votes5 =The 17th federal election will be the next election to occur in the Federal Republic of Germany. Assuming the current Bundestag remains in office for the remaining legislative period, the election will occur on September 27, 2009. [cite news |first= |last= |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Merkel plant einen Wohlfühl-Wahlkampf |url=http://www.nzz.ch/nachrichten/international/merkel_plant_einen_wohlfuehl-wahlkampf_1.823017.html |work=Neue Zürcher Zeitung |publisher= |date=2008-09-04 |accessdate= ]

While it was believed to be certain that incumbent Chancellor Angela Merkel will be again the candidate for the CDU/CSU, information pertaining to the identity of the SPD's chancellor candidate has been more speculative. Declining popularity of former party chairman Kurt Beck led to numerous speculations whether foreign minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier or finance minister Peer Steinbrück could end up as SPD candidate. [cite news |first= |last= |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Steinmeier soll SPD in nächste Wahl führen |url=http://diepresse.com/home/politik/aussenpolitik/382276/index.do?_vl_backlink=/home/politik/aussenpolitik/index.do |work=DiePresse.com |publisher= |date=2008-05-07 |accessdate= ] [cite news |first=Bertrand |last=Benoit |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Germany’s SPD tries to repair divisions |url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/0edf8bb6-79e0-11dd-bb93-000077b07658.html |work=Financial Times |publisher= |date=2008-09-03 |accessdate= ] In a party meeting on September 7, 2008, SPD council members tapped Steinmeier to lead the charge against Angela Merkel. [cite news |first= |last= |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=German SPD to name Steinmeier to fight Merkel |url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/d3036d02-7cc7-11dd-8d59-000077b07658.html |work=Financial Times |publisher= |date=2008-09-07 |accessdate= ]

On recent poll numbers, it is also considered a possibility that both of the traditional coalitions (CDU/CSU-FDP and SPD-Greens) will again fail to win a governing majority in the next election. Should such a case occur, alternative models often discussed by the media as well as party representatives include the so-called "Traffic light" (SPD-FDP-Greens) and "Jamaica" (CDU/CSU-FDP-Greens) coalitions.

The CSU has stated it definitely does not want another term with a grand coalition after the election.

References

External links

* [http://www.wahlrecht.de/umfragen/index.htm Opinion polls]