Poll shows slide in support for Germany's Merkel

German Chancellor Angela Merkel's popularity has dropped significantly as she nears the end of her first year in office, according to a poll published today that found her ratings slipping behind those of her potential opponent at the next election.

The conservative Merkel took office last November at the head of an awkward "grand coalition" with predecessor Gerhard Schroeder's Social Democrats. Her pragmatic, consensual governing style initially brought her stellar poll ratings, but those have slipped amid disillusionment fed by persistent coalition bickering.