© unknownGerman Chancellor Angela Merkel
According to exit polls, the Greens and the Social Democrats (SPD) have staked out a solid lead in the state elections in Baden-Württemberg with 47.3 percent of the vote, as compared to Merkel's Christian Democrats (CDU) and the Free Democrat (FDP), who gained 44.3 percent combined, AFP reported on Sunday.
The Greens polled 24 percent, an increase of 12.3 percent since the last state elections in 2006, setting the stage for a Green party premier to hold the reins of power in Baden-Württemberg for the first time in German history.
The CDU, who had an unassailable control in the state of 11 million people for nearly 58 years, obtained 39.3, while the FDP took five percent in the election, which was depicted as a litmus test of Merkel's nuclear policies in the wake of Japan's nuclear crisis.
The election campaigns in Baden-Württemberg have been consumed by talks over the nuclear crisis in Japan.
Merkel had earlier opted to extend the lifetime of Germany's nuclear reactors. But she later suspended the decision following the disaster in Japan.
"The horrible pictures from Japan and the horrible events in Japan was the main issue over the last two weeks," said outgoing CDU state premier Stefan Mappus, adding that, "There was no other campaign topic and the winds from Berlin were also blowing against us."
The latest political drubbing for Merkel comes following her conservatives' defeat in Februray in a state election in Hamburg, coupled with another historic political thrashing in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany's most populous state earlier in May.
The setbacks bode ill for Merkel, who has lost her majority in the upper house of parliament in which the 16 federal states are represented, because further gains for the opposition would make it hard for conservatives to pass their legislation in the parliament.
just when she wants to give germany's recognition of the palestinian state. just when she withdraws german troops from nato manouvres in the med.
just when she wants israel to halt settlements in gaza.
just after she survived an assassination attempt.
gosh, can't have a leader of any country who is not our puppet.
off with her head.