The Alternative for Germany party reaches its highest level in opinion polls - but the Christian Democratic Union/Christian Social Union alliance is gaining ground as well
The political scene in Germany is witnessing a significant shift, as the Politbarometer poll from ZDF shows the AfD and CDU/CSU tied at 27%, marking the highest level of support ever for the AfD and a slight increase for the Union party.
The rise of the AfD marks the highest support ever recorded in the long-term survey conducted by Forschungsgruppe Wahlen, reflecting increasing momentum among voters. Both parties have gained one point since early November, reinforcing their joint lead.
The SPD party remains in third place with 14%, unchanged from last year, while the Greens hold 12%. The Left party has dropped one point to 9%, and the smaller parties, including the FDP and BSW, have lost one point to reach a combined total of 11%.
The referendum also highlighted public opinions on pensions. A government bill proposes to keep pension levels unchanged until 2031 as a basis for future calculations. While 46% of respondents and half of CDU/CSU supporters endorse this approach, 43% oppose it, especially the youth concerned about long-term costs.
The survey was conducted among 1,207 eligible voters from November 18 to 20, with a margin of error of ± two points. Analysts indicate that these results reflect a volatile political landscape and increasing voter dissatisfaction with the federal government.