Poll shows Merkel ally Kramp-Karrenbauer ahead in CDU succession

A close ally of Chancellor Angela Merkel is out front in the race to take over her position as head of the centre-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU), according to a poll released on Friday.

CDU Secretary General Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer has the backing of 38 per cent of party supporters, a survey carried out for broadcaster ZDF found.

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.

The poll showed Kramp-Karrenbauer leading against her two main competitors, former parliamentary group leader for the conservative bloc Friedrich Merz, who had 29 per cent, and Health Minister Jens Spahn, who at 6 per cent looks like an outsider to the race.

Party delegates are to choose their next leader at a conference in Hamburg on December 7. The tastes of CDU voters are not decisive, but will likely inform the candidate delegates opt to back.

Twelve per cent of respondents said they didn't care who headed the CDU, while a further 15 per cent said they didn't want to answer the question.

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.