According to a recent polling survey conducted by Forsa on behalf of RTL Deutschland between May 5th and May 11th, 2026, the AfD remains the leading political force, maintaining its top position with 27%. The CDU/CSU remains steady at 22%. The Green Party has slightly declined by one percentage point to 15%, while the SPD holds its position at 12%, the Left Party is at 11%, and the FDP is stable at 4%. Voter apathy also persists, with the proportion of non-voters and undecided individuals staying high at 25%.
When questioned about which party is best equipped to solve Germany’s problems, the changes are marginal. Both the Union (CDU/CSU) and the AfD are tied for first place, recording 14% support each. The Greens reached 8%, the SPD was at 6%, and the Left Party at 4%. Importantly, a clear majority of 52% of respondents continue to believe that no single party is best positioned to tackle Germany’s issues.
Economic expectations remain pessimistic. Approximately 66% of people anticipate a decline in the economic situation, compared to 14% expecting improvement, and 18% anticipating no change.
Regarding high-profile political figures, approval ratings are low for CDU Chairman Friedrich Merz. Only 14% of the public rate his work as satisfactory, while 84% are dissatisfied. Even among Union supporters, dissatisfaction is dominant (52% dissatisfied vs. 47% satisfied). This pattern is starker among supporters of other parties: the SPD reports 81% dissatisfaction (versus 18% satisfaction); the Greens report 89% dissatisfaction (versus 10%); the Left reports 96% dissatisfaction (versus 2%); and the AfD reports 98% dissatisfaction (versus 1%).
A significant majority believes that Markus Söder, the CSU chairman, is a better alternative candidate for Chancellor than Friedrich Merz. Only 25% consider him suitable, compared to 70% who do not. Söder enjoys notably high support within Bavaria (41%) and among CSU members (53%).
Meanwhile, the assessment of North Rhine-Westphalia’s minister-president, Hendrik Wüst, yielded more varied reactions. 39% of the public trusts him more for the Chancellorship than Merz, while 36% believe the reverse. Notably, Wüst commands substantial support in North Rhine-Westphalia (60%) and among Green Party adherents (56%).