AfD Hits Record 29% in German Poll as CDU Slips to 22%
Updated
Updated · Hungarian Conservative · May 18
AfD Hits Record 29% in German Poll as CDU Slips to 22%
3 articles · Updated · Hungarian Conservative · May 18
AfD reached a record 29% in the latest weekly INSA poll, up 1 point and 7 points ahead of the CDU, putting the anti-immigration party within 1 point of the 30% threshold.
The CDU fell to 22%, while the Greens ranked third at 14% and the junior governing SPD dropped to 12%, underscoring how far support has shifted from Germany’s main establishment parties.
That rise tracks broad frustration with Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s CDU-SPD government: a recent Forsa survey found 60% said it had failed on migration, 83% on infrastructure and 89% on the economy, prices and the social system.
Merz’s personal approval has fallen to about 15%, and even 56% of CDU voters are dissatisfied with the government, suggesting AfD’s gains reflect more than a short-term protest vote.
With the next federal election not due until 2029, the poll adds to signs that Germany’s political firewall around AfD is coming under greater strain as the party posts gains nationwide.
As Germany's 'political firewall' crumbles, is a coalition with the far-right now inevitable?
With voter trust collapsing, can German democracy survive this political earthquake?
From Hungary to Germany, is Europe witnessing an irreversible shift to anti-establishment rule?
Germany’s Political Earthquake: AfD Surges to 28% and Shatters Coalition Stability
Overview
Germany’s political landscape is undergoing a dramatic shift as the Alternative for Germany (AfD) experiences an unprecedented surge in support, reaching a critical '20–30 moment' that signals historic momentum and the potential for major electoral breakthroughs. This rise mirrors trends seen in other European countries, such as France, where far-right parties have overtaken traditional political forces. Recent polling highlights a profound realignment of voter preferences, challenging Germany’s established party structure and leading to increased fragmentation. As a result, forming stable governments is becoming more difficult, reflecting deep divisions and uncertainty about the country’s political future.