Merkel receives poll boost
German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s centre-right party is more popular now than it was a month ago, according to a poll released on Friday. The Christian Democratic Union (CDU) is polling at 37%, up two points from December.
The latest figures come as somewhat of a surprise. Mrs Merkel has been lambasted for her liberal approach to migration. Last month’s Berlin market attack was carried out by a migrant who arrived in Germany during the 2015 influx brought on by Merkel’s so-called open-door policy, leading to a right-wing lawmaker to decry the victims as “Merkel’s dead”.
Merkel will seek a fourth term as chancellor later this year and will have to fend off criticism from all sides, even from within her own coalition. The Christian Social Union (CSU) – a more conservative, Bavaria-based party – has called on the chancellor to adopt stiffer social policies across the board.
Amid an onslaught of right-wing populism, the latest figures will come as a welcome reprieve for Mrs Merkel, but she has a tough road ahead.
