Soeder Seen As Better Potential Chancellor Than Laschet In New Poll

Latest poll from Infratest dimap shows respondents viewing Bavaria's Minister-President and head of the Christian Social Union Markus Soeder as a better potential chancellor that Christian Democratic Union head Armin Laschet.

• Would [x] be a good Chancellor candidate? (Infratest dimap, 17/03/21):
  • Markus Soeder (CSU) : Yes: 51%, No: 37% (Net +14)
  • Armin Laschet (CDU) : Yes: 22%, No: 60% (Net -38)
• Laschet's prospects of becoming the joint CDU-CSU candidate for the chancellery in the September federal election took a plunge following poor results for the CDU in regional elections held on 14 March.
• The two centre-right parties are due to select their joint candidate for the position of chancellor in April or May, with Soeder gaining support and momentum in recent days and weeks.
• There is notable concern within the CDU - the party of Chancellor Angela Merkel - that the strong opinion polling support enjoyed by the party over the past year could erode in the event the spread of COVID-19 is not beaten back. The party already faced the challenge of fighting its first election since 2002 without Merkel at the helm.
• Declining CDU polling support combined with a rise for the centre-left Social Democrats and pro-business Free Democrats has increased the potential for a 'traffic light' coalition at the federal level comprising the Greens, Social Democrats and Free Democrats.