Soeder Continues To Lead CDU's Laschet In Preferred Chancellor Polling

Bavaria's Minister-President and head of the Christian Social Union continues to lead Christian Democratic Union chair Armin Laschet in polling for preferred chancellor of Germany.

• Laschet is viewed as very much the Merkel 'continuity candidate', while also advocating closer ties to Russia and China. Soeder meanwhile is more of an unknown entity on foreign policy but is a popular figure nationally. However, he risks being tainted by an ongoing scandal within his CSU over COVID-19 face mask procurement.
• Soeder (CSU): 35% (-1), Habeck (Green): 20%, Scholz (SPD): 16% (+1). Forsa, 16-22/03/21. Chgs w/9-15/03/21. 2,511 respondents. Forsa.
• Habeck (Green): 22%, Scholz (SPD): 19% (11), Laschet (CDU): 18% (-3), . Forsa, 16-22/03/21. Chgs w/9-15/03/21. 2,511 respondents. Forsa.
• The centre-right CDU and CSU (the Union parties) present a joint candidate for chancellor in federal elections (due in September). The parties are due to make a decision in April or May on who is put forwards, with Soeder and Laschet the two potential candiates. The fact that Laschet is running behind the likely Green candidate Robert Habeck and centre-left Social Democrat candidate Olaf Scholz could deal real damage to his prospects of becoming the Union candidate.
• The outcome is the same in polls where Green Co-leader Annalena Baerbock is the party's chancellor candidate, with Soeder out in front but Laschet in third place.
• The election is shaping up to be the most open in years, with no incumbent chancellor running for the first time since 1949 and a slump in support for the Union parties opening up the prospect of a number of potential governing coalitions potentially excluding the CDU/CSU.