The Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and its Bavarian sister party, the CSU, have experienced another decline in voter support, according to the latest Forsa poll commissioned by RTL and n-tv. The latest figures place the Union at 24 percent, a one-point drop from the previous week and further eroding their position within the German political landscape. This continues a worrying trend for the traditionally dominant force.
The Alternative for Germany (AfD) remains comfortably in the lead, holding steady at 26 percent. This sustained level of support, coupled with the Union’s downward spiral, raises concerns about the shifting political priorities of German voters and the challenges facing mainstream conservative politics. The Social Democrats (SPD) remain at 14 percent, with the Green Party at 12 percent, the Left Party at 11 percent, the BSW at 3 percent and the Free Democratic Party (FDP) also at 3 percent. The share of non-voters and undecided voters remains significant, standing at 26 percent, highlighting a pervasive sense of disengagement. Smaller parties collectively gained a point, now totaling 7 percent.
Critically, perceptions of political competence remain deeply fractured. The Union’s perceived competence lingers at a concerning 15 percent, only two points ahead of the AfD’s score of 13 percent. This disparity underlines the profound disconnect between the established conservative parties and the electorate’s assessment of their ability to address pressing national issues. A staggering 54 percent of respondents expressed a belief that no party is currently capable of solving Germany’s problems, reflecting widespread disillusionment with the political class.
The poll also indicates a serious crisis of confidence in CDU leader Friedrich Merz. With only 22 percent expressing satisfaction with his leadership – a historic low, even surpassing the previously established negative record held by Olaf Scholz – Merz faces mounting pressure. This figure is overwhelmingly supported only by the Union’s own base (61 percent), revealing a profound lack of broader appeal and illustrating the depth of the challenge he faces in rebuilding public trust. The widening gap between the CDU leader’s approval within his own party and the broader electorate signals potential instability and calls into question his effectiveness in leading the Union’s recovery.
Based on a sample of 2,503 respondents, the Forsa poll paints a sobering picture of the current state of German politics, marked by declining voter confidence in established parties and a deepening sense of political unease.