By Ayhan Simsek
BERLIN (AA) – Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer has extended her lead over two other candidates in the race to succeed German Chancellor Angela Merkel as leader of the Christian Democrats, according to a new poll released on Friday.
Some 38 percent of CDU/CSU voters backed Kramp-Karrenbauer, up 3 percentage points from two weeks ago, a poll by public broadcaster ZDF said.
Popularly known as “mini-Merkel,” the 56-year-old conservative politician has defended the constitutional right to asylum for those who flee their country due to conflicts or persecution.
But during her campaign this month, she also pledged to take stricter measures to combat illegal migration, and promised to address problems of security and organized crime.
Kramp-Karrenbauer’s main rival, Friedrich Merz, an outspoken critic of Merkel’s refugee policy, got 29 percent support, 4 percentage points lower than two weeks ago.
The 62-year-old politician, branded by critics as “Trump light,” had challenged Merkel in 2002, and later withdrew from politics in 2009.
ZDF’s poll showed support for Health Minister Jens Spahn at only 6 percent, down one percentage point.
The 38-year-old politician has been known for his hardline stance on immigration and security issues.
The Christian Democratic Union (CDU) will elect its new chair at an upcoming party conference in December in Hamburg.
Merkel, who led the Christian Democrats for 18 years, announced last month that she will not run for the chair again, but underlined that she wanted to remain chancellor until her term ends in 2021.
Merkel’s critics blamed her liberal refugee policy for the party’s heavy losses in recent regional polls.
