Germans back euro by small majority, poll finds

06-28-2012 • www.ft.com

If a referendum were to be held in Germany tomorrow on membership of the euro, those in favour of retaining the common currency would have a very narrow majority over those wanting to bring back the Deutschmark, according to a new opinion poll.

Only 43 per cent of Germans would vote to keep the euro, against 41 per cent opting to return to their former currency, according to YouGov, the internet-based pollster. If there were instead a vote on EU membership, a clear 51 per cent would vote in favour, against 28 per cent against, the poll suggests.

The figures show Germany remains a fundamentally pro-European country, although doubts about the common currency, and further European integration, are intensifying.

Almost two-thirds – 64 per cent – say failure to tackle the euro crisis effectively is the greatest danger to face the country. Slightly more, 67 per cent, trust the German government to take the right decisions about the future of the EU.

That is an unusual vote of confidence in Angela Merkel, chancellor, when she attracts widespread international criticism .