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Support for the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and its sister party the Christian Social Union has fallen for the second week in a row. The poll by Emnid for Bild says backing has slipped from 37 per cent to 36 per cent. Support for anti-migrant party Alternative for Germany (AfD) and the Social Democratic Party (SPD) remains unchanged from the previous week.

EPA The popularity of Angela Merkel’s party continues to fall, according to a new poll

Support for the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and its sister party the Christian Social Union has fallen for the second week in a row

Voting intentions for the AfD remain steady at 12 per cent and 21 per cent for the SPD. The Left has gained a point, taking its support to 11 per cent with the Greens down a point at nine per cent. Support for the Liberal Free Democratic (FDP) stands at six per cent after Emnid interviewed 2,805 voter between 12 and 18 January.

EPA Support for the CDU/CSU has slipped to 36 per cent

It comes as the election campaign begins to swing into action. Germany is to hold its federal election on Sunday 24 September, with Chancellor Angela Merkel seeking a fourth term in office. The AfD is expected to enter the national parliament for the first time.

AFP GETTY Support for Frauke Petry's AfD has remained stable according to the Bild poll

AFP Germany has welcomed more than one million migrants in the last two years

Mrs Merkel faces a tough re-election campaign following a major backlash over her open-door migration policy. Germany has welcomed more than one million migrants in the last two years. Concerns about integration and security have pushed the German Chancellor’s popularity down and fuelled the rise of the AfD party, which is expected to win enough votes to clear the five per cent threshold to enter the federal parliament.

'MERKEL MUST GO': Brussels protest against German Chancellor Tue, February 14, 2017 Angry campaigners held placards with slogans reading 'Merkel not welcomed' and 'Merkel must go' following a spate of terror attacks against Germany. Play slideshow EPA 1 of 11 Protest on the sidelines of Angela Merkel's official visit in Brussels