A slight narrowing of the gap between the CDU/CSU and the AfD is evidenced by a fresh YouGov poll, signaling a potential shift in the German political landscape. The latest survey, released Wednesday, indicates that CDU/CSU currently commands the support of 27% of eligible voters, a figure consistent with October’s results. Conversely, the AfD has seen a marginal decline, falling one percentage point to 25%.
The SPD remains steady at 14%, mirroring its performance last month, while the Green Party holds firm at 11%. The Left Party has experienced a slight increase, gaining one percentage point to reach 11%. The FDP also registered a gain, rising to 4% in November. Support for other parties collectively stands at 5%.
The announced withdrawal of Sahra Wagenknecht from the leadership of her newly formed “Bürger- und Sozialistische Partei” (BSW) has, at least for now, failed to translate into significant electoral gains for the party. BSW continues to poll at a consistent 4%, suggesting limited immediate impact from the leadership change.
Beyond party preferences, the survey highlights burgeoning anxieties regarding the economic prospects for future generations. A significant 50% of respondents believe that younger Germans will experience a lower standard of living than their parents. Only 12% anticipate a higher standard of living for younger populations, while 24% expect parity. This pessimism is disproportionately felt by younger individuals; 63% of respondents aged 18-29 fear a diminished future prosperity.
The findings underscore a growing disconnect between the electorate and governmental policy. A clear majority – 58% – believe that the impact of political decisions on younger Germans is insufficiently considered. This sentiment is particularly acute among younger voters themselves, with 73% of 18-29-year-olds feeling their interests are overlooked. The perception of inadequate representation declines with age, suggesting a generational divide in assessing political responsiveness.
This burgeoning sense of economic insecurity and political disenfranchisement, particularly among younger segments of the population, presents a complex challenge for policymakers. The subtle shift in party preferences, coupled with the pervasive anxieties regarding intergenerational economic prospects, signals a potential realignment of the German political landscape and demands critical attention to the concerns of future generations. The limited impact on BSW suggests initial voter responses are more reflective of broader economic anxieties rather than solely influenced by leadership changes within emerging parties.