German Opposition Appeals to Voters With Vows of High Taxes, Tough Enforcement

That's appealing?

German voters believe the opposition Social Democrats (SPD) would crack down harder on tax evasion than Angela Merkel's conservatives, and also back centre-left proposals to raise taxes on the wealthy, according to a poll released on Friday.

The Politbarometer poll for broadcaster ZDF was a rare piece of encouraging news for the SPD, the biggest opposition party, whose candidate Peer Steinbrueck is running against the chancellor in September's parliamentary election.

But Merkel is still way ahead in voter intentions and personal approval ratings.

The poll put overall support for her centre-right coalition with the Free Democrats at 44 percent, versus 42 percent for the combined SPD (28 percent) and Greens (14).