Poll after debate: viewers see Scholz in front at Triell

The candidates were argumentative, the subjects numerous – but who could score the most among the viewers of the TV triall? Many see SPD candidate Scholz ahead – but Laschet and Baerbock were able to catch up in one category.

After the TV triall of the Chancellor candidates from Union, SPD and Greens, viewers see SPD top candidate Olaf Scholz in front. 41 percent of the participants in a representative survey of infratest dimap found him in the triell of ARD and ZDF most convincing. Union candidate Armin Laschet came up with a significantly lower value: 27 percent of those surveyed spoke out in favor of him. Green candidate Annalena Baerbock found 25 percent of the audience most convincing.

Scholz the most competent, Baerbock the most personable

When asked which of the candidates is most competent, a majority of 49 percent of those questioned chose Scholz. Laschet came up with 26 percent, Baerbock estimated 18 percent as the most competent. Even in the youngest ARD Germany trend Scholz was ahead in the competence values.

Baerbock leads the sympathy ratings: 39 percent of those surveyed found the Greens chairperson the most likable. In second place followed with 34 percent SPD candidate Scholz. Only 18 percent of the audience spoke out in favor of Laschet. With these values, Baerbock could have benefited from the fact that many of the lines of conflict ran in the triad between Laschet and Scholz – she herself often had a more mediating effect.

Laschet and Baerbock improve slightly with Triell

Following the TV triall, voters who had not yet made a decision were also asked about their voting intentions. If the Chancellor were directly elected, 36 percent would choose Scholz. Baerbock and Laschet are level behind with 25 percent.

In addition, a change in the voting intention of all respondents was measured by the triall. It becomes clear: SPD candidate Scholz won no additional votes through his appearance at the Triell, but also did not lose approval. 43 percent of respondents said before and after the duel that they would vote for him.

For CDU candidate Laschet, however, his aggressiveness is apparently paying off: he gains five percentage points through the triall – after the triall, 24 percent of those surveyed would choose him. Green candidate Baerbock also benefits from her Triell appearance – she wins six percentage points in the before-and-after comparison and is 19 percent of the vote.