Bremen "state" election (May 13, 2007)

[Verily]

It seems odd that the SPD forms a coalition with the CDU despite the Red-Green coalition having a majority. Could someone explain why?

[Verily]

The first poll was released today.


Infratest-dimap (04/26)

SPD: 42%
CDU: 26%
Greens: 14.5 %
Left Party: 5.5 %
FDP: 5%
DVU: 2%
Other parties: 5%

That has to be a disappointing result for the CDU.

I'm surprised that there aren't more defectors to the Greens and/or Die Linke from the SPD in an attempt to force the SPD into a left-wing coalition.

[Verily]

That has to be a disappointing result for the CDU.

I'm surprised that there aren't more defectors to the Greens and/or Die Linke from the SPD in an attempt to force the SPD into a left-wing coalition.

Well, according to this poll the Greens will indeed improve their result. Plus, the SPD and mayor Böhrnsen seem to favour an end of the Grand coalition anyway.

SPD/Left hasn't been really discussed as an option yet and my take is that the SPD isn't very keen to from a government with them. SPD and Greens should be able to get enough votes to form a two-party coalition of their own.

Of course, it just seems surprising that more voters are not splitting with the SPD to force a left-wing coalition as happened in the 2005 elections (even though the SPD favored a left-wing coalition then).