Social Democrats steady at 1pc point behind Angela Merkel's conservatives
GERMANY'S centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) remained steady at 32 percent support over the past week, one percentage point behind Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservative Christian Democrats, according to a poll published on Wednesday.
Germany's SDP pick Martin Schulz to challenge Angela Merkel
The two parties, now partners in Merkel's 'grand coalition', have been running neck-and-neck in the polls since the SPD nominated former European Parliament president Martin Schulz as its candidate for chancellor in the Sept. 24 federal election.
Social Democrats (SPD) remained steady at 32 percent support over the past week
The anti-immigrant Alternative for Germany (AfD) gained one percentage point to 9 percent, while the pro-environment Greens party dropped one percentage point to 7 percent, according to the Forsa poll of 2,505 voters carried out from March 6-10.
The Left party remained unchanged at 7 percent, while the pro-business Free Democratic Party (FDP) was steady at 6 percent, according to the poll, which was conducted for Germany's Stern magazine and broadcaster RTL.
The SPD and Angela Merkel’s Christian Democrats have been running neck-and-neck in the polls
In a direct matchup, Merkel gained one percentage point to 39 percent support, compared to 36 percent for Schulz, the poll said.
Both Merkel, who is seeking a fourth term, and Schulz are hoping to end the current coalition and form a new government with smaller allies.
The Forsa poll had a margin of error of plus or minus 2.5 percentage points.