REUTERS

Merkel, who enjoyed record high popularity ratings early last year, has grown increasingly isolated in recent months as members of her conservative bloc have pressed her to take a tougher line on asylum seekers and European allies have dragged their feet on the issue, as reported by Reuters.

Responding to popular pressure, Merkel's conservatives and their left-leaning Social Democrat (SPD) coalition partners agreed on Thursday to tighten asylum rules, reaching a compromise on how to stem the influx of migrants.

The Insa poll for Focus magazine surveyed 2,047 Germans from January 22 to January 25. It showed 45.2% believed Merkel's refugee policy was not a reason for her to resign. It was the first time the pollster had asked voters whether Merkel should quit.

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Another poll released on Friday, by the Elector Research Group, showed support for Merkel's conservative bloc steady at 37%. As recently as September, they were on 42%. Support for the SPD was also unchanged, at 24%.

The poll put the right-wing Alternative for Germany (AfD), which supports a hard line on immigration, on 11%.

Merkel has also faced criticism from other European Union countries for her stance on migration, including from Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi who she meets later on Friday.