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A survey carried out by TNS Infratest Politikforschung found 42 per cent of Germans believe there should be a referendum on their EU membership and that 62 per cent of Germans think the EU is “heading in the wrong direction”. The same survey found 67 per cent want the bureaucratic superstate to change its political direction and just 39 per cent of Germans believe EU membership is exclusively positive.

GETTY Angela Merkel could be facing calls to hold an EU referendum

About 96 per cent of Germans want the failing Brussels bloc to be become “more transparent and closer to the people”, the independent polling institute found. The results will come as a blow to Angela Merkel, who has been widely criticised for her open-door immigration policy which saw one million migrants enter Germany in 2015. Yet the German Chancellor last week announced plans to deport 100,000 migrants who arrived in Germany last year as she looks to recover some of her floundering support in the polls after announcing her bid to run for ha fourth term as her nations’ leader.

GETTY Only one third of Germans trust the EU-Turkey deal

The many faces of Angela Merkel Wed, May 17, 2017 German Chancellor, Angela Merkel through the years Play slideshow 1 of 16

It is estimated some 215,000 migrants have been denied the right to stay in Germany over the last 18 months, most because they come from countries in eastern Europe and north Africa which are not ravaged by war. Around 60 per cent of the respondents also believe that Germany should strengthen its role within the EU and promote its interests within the bloc, even if it contradicts the views of other members. Just one third of Germans who responded to the polling have faith in the refugee resettlement deal with Turkey.

GETTY Merkel has come under pressure for her open-door immigration policy