Merkel’s conservatives have ruled Baden-Wuerttemberg in southwestern Germany since 1953, but anger over her nuclear policy as well as decisions on Libya and the euro suggest voters could turf her Christian Democrats (CDU) out of power.

A poll released on Friday indicated a potential coalition of Social Democrats and the resurgent Greens were poised to unseat Merkel’s CDU and their coalition partner, the pro-business Free Democrats (FDP).

The independent TNS Emnid institute survey showed the opposition could win 48 per cent of the vote in a state that is home to industrial giants Daimler and Porsche, versus 43 percent for state premier Stefan Mappus’s ruling alliance.