Merkel popularity down in Germany due to Greece

Poll shows she still remains the most popular post-war politician in Germany

Support for German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s ruling Christian Democratic Party (CDU) dropped by 2 percentage points to 53% in a poll published Wednesday. Merkel’s popularity was also negatively affected, as the findings revealed that inter-party squabbling over the 3rd Greek rescue plan has taken its toll on the CDU. The poll, conducted by Forsa indicates that the conservative government coalition between Merkel’s CDU and their partners the Christian Social Union (CSU) would get 41 percent of the vote, two points less than a week ago. The Social democratic Party (SPD), which is also part of the wider government coalition did not capitalize on the drop of the other political forces, as they remained at 23%, while the far left (Die Linke) party and the far right Alternative for Germany (AfD) parties received 11% and 4% approval, respectively. Angela Merkel remains by far one of the most popular politicians in post-WWII Germany, according to the findings. The head of Forsa explained that the reason for the fall of Merkel’s approval was the difference of opinion in her party on the 3rd Greek bailout plan overwhelmingly voted in by the German parliament 2 weeks ago.