Voter Preferences Point to 'Groko' as Top Coalition Choice for 2025 Bundestag Elections

Berlin - A recent survey indicates that a coalition between the Union parties and the SPD remains the most favored government option among voters ahead of the 2025 Bundestag elections. Conducted by Forsa for 'stern' and the RTL Group, the poll reveals that 43 percent of respondents prefer the so-called 'Große Koalition' (Groko), a term that refers to the alliance between the Christian Democrats (CDU/CSU) and the Social Democrats (SPD).

Following the Groko, the second most popular coalition choice is a Schwarz-Grün (Black-Green) alliance, garnering 33 percent of support. In contrast, a coalition consisting of CDU/CSU and the Alternative for Germany (AfD) received only 17 percent approval. However, CDU candidate Friedrich Merz has ruled out the possibility of such a right-wing alliance, while CSU leader Markus Söder has expressed his disapproval of a coalition with the Greens.

The survey results reveal the complexities of coalition-building, as it remains uncertain whether the Union parties could secure a majority with either the SPD or the Greens in the new Bundestag. The potential for a third partner in any coalition arrangement may also need to be considered.

Historically, the term 'Große Koalition' has been used to describe the governing partnership between the CDU/CSU and SPD, particularly during the 20th century when these parties were consistently the most powerful in the German political landscape. Currently, support for the Groko is particularly strong among SPD supporters, with 81 percent favoring this coalition. Additionally, a majority (53 percent) of Union supporters also view the Groko as their preferred governmental arrangement. This coalition previously governed from 2013 to 2021 under Chancellor Angela Merkel.