Shocking poll: AfD achieves a record high and matches CDU/CSU in popularity
For the first time, the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party is equal to the Christian Democratic Union/Christian Social Union (CDU/CSU) in the German political landscape. According to the latest opinion poll conducted by ZDF (Politbarometer), both parties received 26 percent each if federal elections were held next Sunday. This represents a new record for the AfD and a slight decrease for the CDU/CSU. Meanwhile, the Social Democratic Party (SPD) maintained a percentage of 15 percent, while the Greens dropped to 10 percent, and the Left Party rose slightly to 11 percent. Smaller parties like the FDP and BSW remained at 3 percent each.
Despite the rise of the AfD party, the CDU party continues to reject any political cooperation with it. A majority of Germans – 63 percent – expressed support for this position, with greater backing among CDU/CSU supporters. However, more than half of the respondents believe that cooperation between the two parties will eventually occur at the federal level, reflecting widespread doubts about the CDU's ability to maintain this rejection in the long term. Tensions have already escalated in parliament, where Jens Spahn strongly attacked the AfD party, describing it as "Putin's puppet" and considering its positions as "treason to the homeland."
When asked about their expectations of the AfD party in power, skepticism prevailed. Only 21 percent believe its policies will be better, while 60 percent fear they will be worse. Most Germans also consider voting for the AfD to be more of a protest than support for its political program. However, among the party's supporters, the picture has changed; now 65 percent say they vote out of conviction, compared to only 48 percent two years ago.
Alongside these political transformations, the Bundestag approved the 2025 budget, which includes expenditures of around 502 billion euros, with high levels of debt. Public opinions are divided on this: 52 percent believe that borrowing is justified given the current challenges, while 42 percent oppose it. Regarding priorities, Germans overwhelmingly demand more investments in education and schools (88 percent), transport infrastructure (68 percent), and the armed forces (58 percent), while funding in the social sector remains divisive.
At the same time, concerns about global security are increasing. More than half of Germans (56 percent) now believe that Russia may attack Eastern NATO countries, a new record. Additionally, 81 percent believe that Russia deliberately violated Polish airspace with drones. Opinions are divided on NATO's response: about half of respondents support strengthening military power, while nearly the same number oppose it. Regarding the Middle East, criticism of the Israeli military operation in Gaza has reached unprecedented levels, with 83 percent of Germans considering these operations unjustified due to the significant civilian casualties among Palestinians.