Refugee crisis blamed for fall in Angela Merkel’s support

Popular support for Chancellor Angela Merkel has plunged according to a poll conducted after attacks in Germany, with almost two-thirds of Germans unhappy with her refugee policy.

The survey for public broadcaster ARD showed support for Merkel down 12 points from her July rating to 47%.

This marked her second-lowest score since she was re-elected in 2013.

In April last year, before the migrant crisis erupted she enjoyed backing of 75%.

Merkel’s open-door refugee policy has come under attack from critics after five attacks in Germany since July 18 have left 15 people dead, including four assailants, and dozens injured.

Two of the attackers had links to Islamist militancy, officials say.

Support for one of Merkel’s fiercest critics, Bavarian Premier Horst Seehofer, who has called for restrictions on immigration, jumped 11 points to 44%.

Over a million migrants have entered Germany in the past year.