ARD-DeutschlandTREND

Greece faces bankruptcy and asks for EU support to finance its huge deficit. A majority (53 percent) of Germans is in favour of helping Greece if Greece’s creditor banks also contribute to the financial aid. A quarter (23 percent) assesses the financial aid for Greece as something rather annoying but admits that the German government has no other choice than to support Greece’s bail-out. The view that Germany should not provide Greece with loans is shared by 21 percent. Germans are divided regarding the request for Greece’s expulsion from the euro zone: One half (49 percent) is opposed and the other half (45 percent) is in favour of it.

A majority believes that the economic and financial crisis has not yet been overcome: 56 percent fear that the worst part of the crisis is still to come. However, 62 percent claim that they are personally not affected by the crisis in their everyday lives.

Although the FDP has modified extent and timing of its tax reduction concept, it is still rejected by a majority: In view of the high level of public debt, 54 percent object to the plan of a tax reduction whereas 42 percent are in favour of a reduction of 16 billion Euros from 2012 onwards. Only among supporters of the FDP a majority supports the tax reduction plan (62 percent).

The reputation of the Federal Government has slightly increased. At present, 26 (+3) percent are satisfied with the work of the black-yellow coalition. In contrast three in four (73 percent) still express criticism. Two in three (66 percent) doubt that the Union and the FDP are still a good fit – though this was the most favoured coalition by both partners. In view of the disappointment with the work of the federal government, a majority supports the notion that black-yellow should be taught a lesson at the upcoming state elections in North Rhine-Westphalia.

With respect to the leading politicians minister of Defence Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg can almost regain his losses from the previous month and is now number one on the list of the most popular German politicians: 61 percent (+6) are satisfied with his work. Angela Merkel can improve her standing as well and ranks second with an approval rate of 58 percent (+3). Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle remains with 24 percent (+1) in a reputation low.

The political climate shows a shift between SPD and Greens, whereas the other parties remain unchanged. The Union would achieve 35 percent (±0), the FDP could count on 8 percent (±0). The Left Party is able to maintain its share of 10 percent as well. The SPD, however, would suffer a loss (26 percent; -2) whereas the Greens would gain support and receive 16 percent (+2), their highest standing reached in the ARD-DeutschlandTREND so far.

These are the main results of ARD-DeutschlandTREND in May, conducted by Infratest dimap on behalf of ARD-Tagesthemen and five daily newspapers. In a representative survey among eligible voters in Germany, 1.000 persons were questioned by telephone from April 26^th to 27^th, 1.500 from April 26^th to 28^th for the voting preference poll and 500 persons were questioned on April 28^th for the additional question “Budget support for Greece”. The survey design allows for generalization of results to the German voting population, with an error margin of 1.4 to 3.1 percentage points.