There is a solid base of around forty percent for both left and right in Germany. The left has been in power for two terms and have not done an outstanding job, nothing strange about their problems. Also, in 2002 the elections were very close, the vote for the SPD and CDU/CSU were virtually identical. If it weren't for the creation of the Linkspartei this election would be shaping up as quite similar since the SPD would be looking at about 3-4% more in the polls. As for Ben's question - well that answers it. The solid 40% of the electorate which is on the right doesn't have a problem with liberal reforms - many want more. Many on the middle are sympathetic as well. The SPD's base on the other hand is quite upset leading some among them to think of voting for the LP. No voter stupidity here.
I will dispute that. This is true of the party elite and supportive media, but not such strong bases as conservative public workers or the rural population.
Moreover, the dissatisfaction with the SPD/Greens government is from a time that government tried economic-liberal reforms itself. I don't see popular support for these reforms. *Lunatic*, n. One whose delusions are out of fashion.
