Far-Right AfD Expands Lead Over Merz's CDU/CSU

(MENAFN) Germany’s far-right political group, Alternative for Germany (AfD), has expanded its lead over Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s center-right CDU/CSU alliance, according to a new public opinion survey released on Tuesday.

The data, collected by the Forsa Institute, shows the anti-immigration AfD polling at 27%, while the ruling Christian Democrats (CDU/CSU) experienced a slight decline, falling by one percentage point to 24%.

This marks the largest advantage the AfD has ever held over the conservative bloc on the national scale.

The findings also highlight that backing for Merz’s coalition partner, the Social Democrats (SPD), remained unchanged at 13%.

Such figures suggest that the current governing alliance would fail to secure a parliamentary majority if elections were to occur this month.

Meanwhile, the environmentally focused Greens saw a modest increase, rising by one percentage point to 12%.

Other political entities, including the socialist Left Party (11%), the left-leaning populist BSW (4%), and the pro-business FDP (3%), all maintained the same support levels as the previous week.

Approximately 22% of those surveyed described themselves as either undecided or disinterested in voting.

In addition to his party's lagging performance, Chancellor Merz’s personal popularity has also taken a hit.

Only 26% of participants in the survey reported being satisfied with his leadership, a decline of two points from earlier polls.

Among CDU/CSU voters, 64% expressed approval of the chancellor. In stark contrast, a staggering 95% of AfD supporters reported being dissatisfied with Merz’s leadership.

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