Merkel Has Wide Margin Against Schulz in Theoretical Chancellor Vote - Poll

Two out of five German voters would elect Angela Merkel, once they could choose the chancellor directly, while only one in five voters would give support to her main rival, Social Democratic Party's (SPD) leader Martin Schulz, his lowest rating since becoming a candidate for chancellorship in January, a new poll revealed on Tuesday.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The YouGov poll showed that Merkel and Schulz enjoy 42 and 22 percent support overall, respectively. Within their parties, Christian Democrats (CDU) and SPD, the leaders are backed by 89 and 70 percent of respondents, the pollster noted.

"Despite many political initiatives, such as the tax concept, election program, marriage for all or debates on refugees, the SPD leader does not succeed in catching up with the chancellor," YouGov Germany political research team leader Peter Mannott said.

The poll was conducted online from July 28 to August 1 among 2,000 German citizens.

The results are similar to those of a last week Forsa's poll, giving Schulz a record low of 21 percent, with 52 percent supporting Merkel as chancellor. The support for SPD in that poll was similar to its leader's at 22 percent, while Merkel’s conservative alliance of the CDU and the Christian Social Union (CSU) enjoyed a 40-percent rating.

In late January, SPD chose Schulz, former European Parliament President, as a chancellor candidate and the party's chairman. Merkel, currently serving her third term as Chancellor, announced in November last year she would seek re-election to a fourth term.

The election to Germany's Bundestag is scheduled for September 24. Following the election, Bundestag will elect the Chancellor.