- The question of the K-question: Southern increases the distance to Merz
In the race for the chancellorship** candidacy of the Union, CSU leader Markus Söder is gaining more support from the population, according to the ARD-Deutschlandtrend. According to the latest survey by Infratest dimap, 38 percent of respondents believe the Bavarian Minister-President would make a good chancellor candidate, four percentage points more than at the end of May. North Rhine-Westphalia's Minister-President Hendrik Wüst comes in at 36 percent (plus 2), while CDU chairman Friedrich Merz is in third place with 27 percent (plus 1). Among Union supporters, Söder is even further ahead with 59 percent, compared to Merz and Wüst (both 47 percent).
The next federal election is scheduled to take place on 28 September 2025. Merz and Söder have agreed to decide on the chancellor candidacy together in the fall. The CDU chairman, who is also the opposition leader in the Bundestag, is seen as the clear favorite, also by Söder. In early July, Söder told Welt-TV that he could only consider becoming a chancellor candidate if Merz asked him to. When pressed further, Söder said that the only condition under which he would consider it is if Merz asked him to.
The Greens have their lowest value in over six years
If the federal election were held next Sunday, the Union would be the strongest force. According to Infratest dimap, CDU and CSU currently have 32 percent, one percentage point more than at the beginning of July. The AfD has 16 percent (minus 1), the SPD around Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz has 15 percent (plus 1). The Greens have lost one percentage point and are currently at 12 percent, their lowest value in the Germany Trend since April 2018.
The alliance of Sahra Wagenknecht has 9 percent (plus 1), the FDP is at 5 percent and is fighting for re-election to the Bundestag. The other parties currently have 11 percent (-1), including the Left.
Polling results are always subject to uncertainties. Among other things, decreasing party loyalty and increasingly short-term election decisions make it difficult for polling institutes to weight the data they collect. In principle, polls only reflect the opinion climate at the time of the survey and are not predictions of the election outcome.
The European Union is closely monitoring the election proceedings in Germany, as the outcome could significantly impact its relations with the country. Due to his growing popularity, Markus Söder, the leader of the CSU, is being viewed as a strong contender for the chancellorship within the European Union.
