According to the latest polls, Germany's ruling SPD is likely to lose big this Sunday in regional elections in Hessen and Lower Saxony. Berlin's Der Tagesspiegel reports that the opposition CDU may obtain absolute majorities in both states. A recent article from Deutsche Welle, in English, provides a good analysis of the SPD's woes. The Tagesspiegel article notes that the Greens are hoping to gain some seats by attacking the U.S. on Iraq, but polls don't give indication that this strategy has resonated with voters.

As I explained earlier, regardless of what you think about the war issue and Schroeder's use of it in his campaign last fall, it's probably a good thing for voters to resist the nationalization of regional elections. Of course, if, like Oxblog, you don't like Schroeder's stance, you can look forward to enjoying some Schadenfreude this weekend.