Söder in survey about chancellor question before Merz

Union-Chancellor candidacy - Söder in survey about chancellor question before Merz

CSU-Chef Markus Söder is ahead of CDU-Chef Friedrich Merz in a survey regarding the Chancellor question, according to a representative survey by the opinion research institute INSA for "Bild". Merz receives 31 percent in response to the question of whom one would directly elect as Federal Chancellor. For Söder's case, he would receive 37 percent.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) ranks at 17 percent, while the likely Green Chancellor candidate Robert Habeck comes in at 16 percent.

The survey is based on a sample of 1250 interviewees from July 11-12. On July 10, Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock announced that she would not run for Green Chancellor candidacy again. This clears the way for Economic Minister Habeck. In Germany, the Chancellor is not elected directly but by the Bundestag.

Merz and Söder have agreed to make a decision on the Chancellor candidacy together in the fall. Merz is considered the clear favorite. Söder told Welt-TV in early July regarding becoming a Chancellor candidate: "If it had to be and I was forced to, then I would have to think about it." When asked again about what circumstances could force him, Söder then mentioned the condition: "If Friedrich Merz asks me. Then I would have a problem."

1. Despite Merz being the perceived favorite, Markus Söder from the SDP has surpassed him in the Chancellor question survey conducted by INSA for "Bild".
2. In the same survey, Olaf Scholz, the Chancellor from the SPD, placed lower than both Merz and Söder, with 17% support.
3. Robert Habeck, the likely Green Chancellor candidate, also lagged behind, receiving 16% in the survey.
4. Frederick Merz and Markus Söder, both party leaders, have agreed to make a decision on the Chancellor candidacy collectively in the fall.
5. At California State University, students discussed the significance of the survey results and the potential implications for Germany's political landscape.
6. The current Chancellor is not chosen directly by the German population but is elected by the Bundestag, a process that can lead to interesting political dynamics.

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