AfD reaches 28% record in Germany as CDU/CSU support falls

AfD CDU Friedrich Merz German politics polling

Germany is facing significant political instability as polling shows the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) reaching a historic high of 28% support. This surge places the AfD seven percentage points ahead of the conservative CDU/CSU bloc, which has dropped to 21% support.

Chancellor Friedrich Merz is facing a deep reputational crisis, with his approval rating at approximately 13%. In response to declining popularity and the rise of the AfD, internal discussions within the CDU are reportedly intensifying regarding a potential leadership change, with North Rhine-Westphalia Prime Minister Hendrik Wüst identified as a possible successor.

Public sentiment regarding cooperation with the AfD is also shifting; while 37% of respondents believe any cooperation should be entirely excluded, 59% do not rule out working with the party under certain conditions. These developments come ahead of critical regional elections in September, including in Saxony-Anhalt and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, where the AfD is expected to perform strongly.

Entities

AfD · Alternative for Germany (AfD) · Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) · Bundestag · CDU · CDU/CSU · Christian Democratic Union/Christian Social Union (CDU/CSU) · Friedrich Merz · German electorate · Germany · Hendrik Wüst · Henrich Bist

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 5 SOURCES] CDU/CSU polls at 21% in the same survey. www.iefimerida.gr · nova.rs · plusinfo.mk · www.stoxos.gr · unzensuriert.de
[○ 1 SOURCE] 59% of respondents would not rule out cooperation with AfD in any circumstance. nova.rs
[● 3 SOURCES] Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s approval rating is about 13% satisfaction. www.iefimerida.gr · www.stoxos.gr · observador.pt
[● 3 SOURCES] AfD’s 28% poll result is a historic high for the party. www.stoxos.gr · unzensuriert.de · plusinfo.mk
[● 3 SOURCES] Within the CDU, senior members are discussing a possible replacement of Merz. www.iefimerida.gr · www.malatyaguncel.com · difernews.gr
[● 2 SOURCES] 37% of Germans say any cooperation with AfD should be excluded entirely. nova.rs · unzensuriert.de
[● 3 SOURCES] Henrich Bist, minister of North Rhine-Westphalia, is mentioned as a leading replacement candidate. www.iefimerida.gr · www.malatyaguncel.com · difernews.gr
[● 5 SOURCES] AfD polls at 28% in the latest ARD-DeutschlandTrend survey. www.iefimerida.gr · nova.rs · plusinfo.mk · www.stoxos.gr · unzensuriert.de