New Poll Technique Reveals Half of Germans Don't Know That Schröder is Chancellor

"Der Spiegel" ^ | July 26, 2003 | "Der Spiegel"

[longjack]

New Survey Technology

One out of two doesn't know that Schröder is Chancellor

A new online interview method has brought to light some amazing results: Hardly half of the Germans know what Gerhard Schröder, Joschka Fisher, or Angela Merkel do professionally.

Indeed, 99 per cent of the people asked by the polling institute Forsa in the until now unpublished survey recognized Schröder in a photo, but only 51 per cent correctly answered which office he holds.

For the survey of 1630 citizens the opinion researchers used so-called set top boxes, with whose help the participants answer by remote control questions presented on the TV screen. Forsa boss Manfred Güllner expects to achieve a higher objectivity from his invention because the people asked are not influenced by interviewers.

Only 46 per cent in the online interview were able to identify Joschka Fischer as Secretary of State, although 96 per cent recognized him. Only 32 per cent knew what Angela Merkel actually does. With that she's ahead of her rival Roland Koch, though, of whom only 31 per cent knew that he is governor of Hesse.

Primarily, the survey was to examine the image of leading politicians. Result: The darling of the Germans is Joschka Fischer, who is acknowledged to be highly assertive and of great integrity. Only 22 per cent think that Schröder thinks of the well-being of his neighbors, and it's up to 29 per cent for Merkel. More than twice as many citizens trust Fischer then they do his boss: He reaches 55 per cent.

© DER SPIEGEL 31/2003

"Der Spiegel"..Jeder Zweite weiß nicht, dass Schröder Kanzler ist

Translated by longjack

[longjack]

They may have to hire the guy who formulated the "Who's buried in Grant's Tomb?" question to use with this new technology.

This may put the results of the other day where one in five Germans think the US ordered the 9/11 attacks into better perspective.

Angela Merkel, for those who don't know, is the leading candidate in the CDU, the opposition party to Schröder.

For those people who ask about Fischer's popularity in Germany. Here it is in black and white. High integrity?

longjack

[longjack]

German ping.

[tictoc]

--Who wrote Beethoven's Fifth Symphony?

--Hmm...

Thanks longjack, that was hilarious.

[Erik Latranyi]

Having German relatives offered me an insight (although anectodal) into their politics......

It seems the people are disconnected from the political system and do not really care who is in charge.

They have the attitude (getting stronger in the U.S.) that "all political parties are the same".

The people have become lemmings, taking what government hands out and what government restricts without too much of a fight.

Ideals and principles are dead.

Just my point of view.


Erik

[knighthawk]

only 51 per cent correctly answered which office he holds

Unbelievable!

[demlosers]

I thought the voting percentage is high for Germans in elections? So they don't know who they're voting for?

[Dutch Boy]

That's not so hard to believe. How many people voted for Gore and Lieberman in the last election didn't even know who they were? How many could answer the same question here?

Zogby's "Overall Opion Poll" for GWB. There is actually a "Not Familiar" column. It's scarey that these people can vote.

It seems that once you let the government take care of everything for you it doesn't make a difference who they are voting for. Just vote for the column that gives you more stuff then complain you need more.

[dighton]

Who wrote Beethoven's Fifth Symphony?

Schröder.