Most German citizens believe that the leader of the conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU) Friedrich Merz is the favorite to become chancellor after the parliamentary elections expected to be held next year, according to a survey by "South" (YouGov), quoted by DPA and BTA.
Of the nearly 2,200 people who took part in the survey, which was commissioned by the agency, 44% support Merz, and only 6% - Chancellor of the German Social Democratic Party (GSDP) Olaf Scholz.
Mertz is the leading choice for all age groups, especially among older voters. 57% of people over 70 support the leader of the CDU, and only 3% support the Social Democrat chancellor.
Scholz does not have strong support even among supporters of his own party. Only 8% of GSDP voters in 2021. they think he has a chance for a second term.
Economy Minister Robert Habek of the "Greens" collects 7% support.
The leader of the far-right party "Alternative for Germany" Alice Weidel was considered a potential candidate for chancellor by 13% of those who took part in the poll, although she is unlikely to occupy the country's highest political post, as no party wants to form a coalition with the AzG, DPA notes.< /p>
2,193 people took part in the survey, conducted from November 8 to 12. The statistical margin of error is 2.1 percentage points.
Scholz's shaky coalition collapsed last week after the chancellor sacked a key minister from the Free Democratic Party (FDP).
With the liberal SDP no longer in the coalition, Scholz does not have a majority in the Bundestag. For this reason, Scholz will undergo a vote of confidence next month, which he will probably lose, DPA notes.
The election is expected to take place on February 23, with more than a quarter of respondents (29%) not sure what the outcome will be.