Angus Reid Global Monitor : Polls & Research
(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – Many people in Germany consider the United States as more dangerous than Iran, according to a poll by Forsa released by Stern and RTL. 48 per cent of respondents say the U.S. is the biggest threat to global peace, while 31 per cent think Iran is.
In November 2005, Christian-Democratic Union (CDU) leader Angela Merkel was sworn in as Germany’s first female head of government. The current administration includes members of the CDU, the Bavarian Christian-Social Party (CSU), and the Social Democratic Party (SPD).
Each European Union (EU) member state presides over the Council of the EU for a period of six months, in accordance with a pre-established rotation. In January, Germany took over these responsibilities from Finland.
Last week, the EU held talks regarding U.S. plans to establish an anti-missile shield in the Czech Republic and Poland. Some German politicians are opposed to the plan. Martin Schulz, head of the Socialist group in the European Parliament, declared: "This missile defence system will solve nothing and get us into a new arms race."
On Mar. 23, fifteen British Navy personnel were taken at gunpoint by Iranian forces off the coast of Iraq, according to the British Ministry of Defence. Iran’s Foreign Ministry confirmed seizing the Britons "for investigation and questioning" and accused the British sailors of illegally entering its waters "a number of times."
Germany is part of a group of nations holding direct talks with Iran over its controversial nuclear program. German foreign minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier called for the immediate release of the army officers, declaring, "If the leadership in Tehran thinks that anyone views this action as a demonstration of strength, it is mistaken. I appeal to the leadership in Tehran to defuse the tense situation. There must not be a further intensification."
Polling Data
Which of these countries poses the biggest threat to world peace?
| United States | 48% |
| Iran | 31% |
| Both equally | 15% |
Source: Forsa / Stern / RTL
Methodology: Interviews with 1,003 German adults, conducted on Mar. 22 and Mar. 23, 2007. Margin of error is 3 per cent.
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