German conservatives seek Merkel successor --------------------------------------------- Germany’s governing CDU/CSU bloc is set for a showdown over its candidate to succeed Angela Merkel as chancellor, with the contest split between the country’s two most powerful state premiers --------------------------------------------- Markus Söder (54) Bavaria state leader and head of Christian Social Union (CSU) – CDU’s sister party – has much better poll ratings --------------------------------------------- Armin Laschet (60) North Rhine-Westphalia premier is newly elected chairman of Merkel’s Christian Democratic Union (CDU) – far bigger party in ruling centre-right coalition --------------------------------------------- PREFERRED CANDIDATE FOR CHANCELLOR (among German voters) Markus Söder (CSU) 36% Robert Habeck (Greens) 11% Annalena Baerbock (Greens) 10% Olaf Scholz (SPD) 10% Friedrich Merz (CDU) 5% Armin Laschet (CDU) 3% --------------------------------------------- Trust among Union supporters: Percentage of people who voted for CDU / CSU in 2017 federal election who would stick to their voting decision --------------------------------------------- If Markus Söder was candidate for chancellor 73% If Armin Laschet was candidate for chancellor Data according to Forsa poll 32% of 2,024 people conducted between Apr 7-10, 2021 --------------------------------------------- Sources: Bloomberg, DW, RTL News Pictures: Getty Images © GRAPHIC NEWS