[Five] months after Germans went to the polls, they are still without a government. Their frustration is apparently growing, with the new study finding that 34 percent of respondents want new elections. The Insa survey, commissioned by Germany's Focus magazine showed that only 30 percent expressed support for a continuation of talks to try and form a grand coalition.

A minority government would be viewed favorably by just 15 percent of Germans. Some 52 percent said Chancellor Merkel should not spearhead her Christian Democratic Party (CDU) in a 'fresh election.'

The current talks are exploratory, and are not expected to result in any final decisions. The two parties would engage in full-blown coalition talks, but only if the SPD leadership is backed by enough members who would endorse such a move. And that could last for another couple of months. Germany faces new elections or a minority Merkel government should the negotiations collapse.