Germany election happening September 24, Merkel leads surveys

The 2017 federal election in Germany is coming up September 24. Will incumbent Chancellor Angela Merkel of the Christian Democratic Union/Christian Social Union (CDU/CSU) remain or Martin Schulz of the Social Democratic Party (SPD) be the next leader ? The latest Deutschland Trend poll by ARD put the CDU on 39 percent and the SPD on 22 percent, showing a gap of 17 percent. The poll was taken before the scheduled debate on September 3. In the first and only face-to-face televised debate, the issue about Turkey becoming a member of the European Union was highlighted as a key election campaign. The Chancellor said that , ” It is clear that Turkey should not become a member of the European Union”.  Agence France reported that Merkel’s strong stance against Turkey appeared  to steal the show from Schulz, who had minutes earlier called for an end to the EU membership talks.
Two separate surveys conducted after the debate put Merkel ahead at 55 percent compared to just 35 per cent for Schulz. Another survey was closer but still had Merkel ahead at 32 per cent against 29 per cent for Schulz.

Federal elections this month are to elect the members of the 19th Bundestag. The new Bundestag will have to elect a Chancellor with an absolute majority of its members, who will in turn form a new government