Merkel's coalition in dead heat against combined leftist opposition: pollSeptember 20, 2013 - 18:57 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Chancellor Angela Merkel's center-right coalition was in a dead heat against the combined leftist opposition in an opinion poll by the Allensbach institute that was released ahead of the election, according to Reuters. The Allensbach poll also showed support for the eurosceptic Alternative for Germany (AfD) party at 4.5 percent, or just below the 5 percent threshold needed to win seats in parliament, one point up from its last poll on Sept 18. The Allensbach poll found Merkel's conservatives rising to 39.5 percent from 39 percent since September 18 while their coalition partners, the Free Democrats (FDP), slipped half a point to 5.5 percent for a combined 45 percent. The main opposition Social Democrats (SPD) were up 1 point to 27 percent while their allies, the environmentalist Greens, were down 2 points to 9 percent. The hardline Left party was unchanged at 9 percent in the Allensbach poll. Other polls this week point to a tight result on Sunday, Sept 22, increasing the likelihood of a Merkel-led right-left "grand coalition" government. "Germany remains committed to euro zone membership, but public opinion and institutional constraints ... limit the scope for any German government to drastically alter course towards more generous support policies," analysts at Citi Research said in a research note. Merkel, 59, would be only the third post-war German leader, after Helmut Kohl and Konrad Adenauer, to win three terms. After Jean-Claude Juncker of Luxembourg and Andrus Ansip of Estonia, she is Europe's longest-serving leader. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Scholz hopes Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty will be signed this year German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hopes that a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be signed this year. Ucom equips four bus stops in Ijevan with free Wi-Fi Ucom now provides free Wi-Fi coverage in smart bus stops in four communities of Ijevan. Armenia, Russia discuss life extension of Metsamor nuclear plant Issues regarding the extension of life of the 2nd power unit of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant were discussed in Yerevan. Armenians stage more campaigns against territorial concessions to Azerbaijan Protesters blocked more roads across Armenia on Friday, April 26 in continuing attempts to scuttle territorial concessions to Azerbaijan. |