By Abdulnasser Jabbara
BERLIN, Sept 22 (KUNA) -- A recent poll suggested that chances for the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD) to win the parliamentary elections Sunday and lead the German government were very slim.
A poll, prepared by Second German Television (ZDF), said that the SPD -- headed by Martin Schulz -- is forecasted to win 21.5 percent of the votes while German Chancellor Angela Merkel's Christian Democratic Union Party (CDU) is expected to win 36 percent of the votes.
The ZDF poll also indicated that the left and liberal parties will again around 8.5 percent while the far-right and hardline Alternative for Germany (AFD) is expected to win 11 percent of the votes.
If the percentages continued, the SPD will either have to settle for forming a coalition with the CDU or joining the opposition.
The SPD shared a focus with the CDU on intensifying security measures especially after Germany was subjected to a number of terror attacks in mid-2016.
Issues like facilitating immigration, improving the job markets, intensifying defense, differences between the EU the US, and disputes with Turkey were also highlighted by the left-wing party, which shares similar policies with the CDU.
SPD usually caters to the needs of their traditional voters who are mostly from the working and middle classes.
The SPD was established in 1863. The party was banned once the National Socialist German Workers' Part, commonly known as the Nazis, won the election and took charge in 1933.
From 1949 to 1974, the SPD managed to be a key opposition party and also led the government.
The periods between 1969 and 1974 in addition to 1998 and 2005 were the golden areas for the SPD with Willy Brandt and Gerhard Schroder as German Chancellors.
On September 24, some 61 eligible German votes will head to ballots to cast their votes to from the 19th German parliament. (end) anj.gta