Germany's CDU faces polling crisis and leadership shifts

The CDU is facing significant internal and external pressure as polling shows the party struggling at 21-22 percent, while the AfD gains momentum ahead of upcoming elections in Saxony-Anhalt. CDU official Karl-Josef Laumann expressed deep concern over these figures, describing them as ‘bad’ and noting a sense of uncertainty within the country.

The party is also navigating a leadership and credibility crisis following the resignation of Jens Spahn as parliamentary group leader. Spahn, who had previously opposed surrogacy, faced intense criticism after it was revealed he and his husband used a surrogate in the US. Consequently, Spahn has also decided not to run for his position as CDU district chairman in Münsterland.

Political tensions are high as leaders debate the party’s ‘incompatibility resolution’ regarding cooperation with the AfD and the Left Party. In Saxony-Anhalt, the AfD is polling at 43 percent, significantly ahead of the CDU. Meanwhile, AfD politician Hans-Thomas Tillschneider recently walked out of a podcast recording in Berlin, citing ‘destructive and unfair’ questioning by journalists regarding the party’s platform and integration policies.