Parties
September 2005 election essentially a dead heat and no
new Prime Minister or governing coalition chosen yet
CDU/CSU Christian Democrats
Ruled from 1983-98 –
2005 won 35.2% vote and 225 seats
SPD Social Democrats
Ruled 1969‑1983 - 1998-2005 in coalition with
Greens
2005 election won 34.3% of vote and 222 seats
Appears there will be “grand coalition” of these two
parties headed by leader of CDU, Angela Merkel
Free Democrats‑ liberal/middle of road‑ pro-free
market
Part of most governing coalitions including SPD
1969‑83 and 1983-98 with CDU/CSU
2005 9.8% vote and 61 seats
Greens - environmental reformist party
2005 8.1% vote and 51 seats
Party of Democratic Socialism, ex-East German Communist
Party
2005 merged with some of left wing of SPD and some
disgruntled unionists
2005 8.7% votes and 54 seats
In previous election had only had 4% of vote so only had
two seats directly elected
None of the other parties willing to consider a coalition
with them
Proportional representation system makes absolute majority
unlikely
5% rule