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