Chancellor candidate Friedrich Merz and his conservatives slump in poll after far-right backing for migration vote.

Germany's conservative CDU/CSU alliance has dropped to just 28% in a new poll, just 19 days before the country votes in one of the most important elections in recent memory. Meanwhile, the formerly influential Free Democrats are fighting for political survival,

Many economists have criticised the idea of subsidising electricity prices, arguing that efforts should instead focus on increasing electricity supply, such as building new gas-fired power plants.

Support for Germany’s center-right CDU/CSU alliance led by Friedrich Merz dropped in a new poll, while the Greens and two smaller far-left parties gained.

Less than three weeks before federal elections, the Forsa poll for RTL/ntv also showed support for Chancellor Olaf Scholz's Social Democrats (SPD) holding steady at 16%. The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) was unchanged at 20%.

Support for Germany's conservative CDU/CSU alliance has dropped to 28% ahead of elections on February 23, a poll showed on Tuesday, days after it cooperated with the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) to pass a motion in parliament.