The political landscape in Germany remains fractured and volatile, according to the latest polls conducted by Forsa, underscoring a deepening crisis for the ruling conservative alliance. The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) continues to hold a marginal lead with 26% support, a razor-thin advantage over the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) at 25%. This persistent strength of the AfD presents a significant challenge to the established political order and signals a potential shift in the electorate’s priorities.
The Social Democratic Party (SPD) trails with 14%, while the Green Party registers at 12%. The Left Party and the recently formed “Die Basis” (BSW) remain at 11% and 3% respectively, maintaining stagnant support. A substantial 26% of respondents identify as non-voters or undecided, indicating a widespread disengagement from mainstream politics and a potential vulnerability for all parties.
However, the most concerning development is the precipitous decline in public approval for Chancellor Friedrich Merz of the CDU. Only 22% of Germans express satisfaction with his performance, a figure dwarfed by the 76% who express dissatisfaction. This represents a record low approval rating, falling even below that of his predecessor, Olaf Scholz, at the nadir of his own tenure.
This erosion in support isn’t confined to the broader electorate; cracks are appearing even within the ranks of the CDU/CSU’s own supporters. A mere 57% of CDU/CSU voters are currently satisfied with Merz’s leadership, while a worrying 43% voice criticism. This internal dissent highlights a growing disconnect between the Chancellor’s policies and the expectations of his own party base. Across all other political factions, a clear majority rejects Merz’s current course.
The bleak sentiment is compounded by persistently negative economic expectations, with 63% of those surveyed anticipating a decline in the German economy. These anxieties likely fuel the dissatisfaction with the current political leadership and contribute to the surge in support for alternative and potentially destabilizing, political forces. The ongoing crisis underscores fundamental questions about the conservative alliance’s ability to govern effectively and address the anxieties of a disillusioned electorate.
Forsa surveyed 2,501 individuals for this assessment.