AfD opens widest-ever lead over Germany’s ruling conservatives, poll shows
Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) has opened its largest-ever lead over Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s conservative alliance, according to a new YouGov poll, reflecting growing public dissatisfaction with the government.
The survey showed support for AfD rising to 29% in early June, while Merz’s CDU/CSU bloc dropped to 20%, its lowest level since September 2021. The nine-percentage-point gap marks the widest lead recorded by the anti-immigration party over the conservatives.
The opposition Greens gained one percentage point to 14%, while the center-left Social Democratic Party (SPD), Merz’s coalition partner, slipped one point to 12%.
The socialist Left Party also rose to 12%, drawing level with the SPD. The liberal Free Democratic Party (FDP) increased to 5%, while the left-wing populist Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW) remained unchanged at 4%.
The poll comes as Merz faces declining approval ratings amid growing concerns over Germany’s economic outlook and tensions within the governing coalition over spending priorities.
Public debate has also intensified over proposed reforms to military service, pensions and healthcare, as well as potential reductions in social welfare programs, contributing to broader dissatisfaction with the government.
Source:AA
