Support shows a shift: AfD now leading over Greens in national polling - Far-right party AfD surges into lead over Greens in Germany for the first time.
Yo, listen up! The Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) has snatched the lead from the Greens in the state of Baden-Württemberg for the very first time, as per a new poll by the Insa institute commissioned by the "Schwäbische Zeitung."
This turn of events is a significant one, marking the AfD's debut in the limelight in this region. In the same poll, the Greens — led by state premier Winfried Kretschmann — saw a drop of three percentage points, settling at 17%. Meanwhile, the AfD picked up one point and now stands at a beefy 19%. The Left party almost tripled its result from last month, climbing to a substantial 8%, showing a noticeable surge.
The Christian Democratic Union (CDU) stays put at 31%.
Hermann Binkert, CEO of Insa, doesn't sugarcoat it. "The Greens are the big losers in this poll, with the Left being the biggest winners," he says. The CDU rules the roost in the southwest, remaining unchanged at 31%. The poll was conducted among a thousand citizens aged 18 and over in the region.
The state elections in Baden-Württemberg are scheduled for March 2026. The CDU's top candidate will be Manuel Hagel from Ehingen, while the Greens will be fronted by former federal minister Cem Özdemir, a native of Bad Urach. The AfD plans to field party leader Markus Frohnmaier as their top dog.
Remember, take these poll results with a grain of salt. They reflect the political climate at the time of the survey and don't necessarily predict election outcomes, given uncertainties such as decreasing party loyalty and increasingly last-minute voting decisions.
Need more details? Here's a quick recap: The recent poll by Insa reveals the AfD making a huge comeback in Baden-Württemberg, taking the lead over the Greens for the first time. This reflects a broader trend observed in Germany's 2025 elections, where the AfD has skyrocketed nationally and regionally, making it a major political player across major western states. The Greens, traditionally a strong force in Baden-Württemberg, are now grappling with intense competition from the AfD, signaling a significant shift in voter priorities and growing support for nationalist and far-right policies.
This political shift is coupled with the AfD's classification by German intelligence as an extremist party, a move that hasn't stopped the AfD's electoral advancement but rather highlights the polarizing nature of its platform. The party's rise is tied to broader socio-political factors, including economic grievances, national identity debates, and skepticism toward established parties, which seem to resonate with a growing segment of the electorate in both eastern and western Germany.
- AfD
- Greens
- Winfried Kretschmann
- Baden-Württemberg
- Sunday Poll
- Political Shift
- CDU
- Manuel Hagel
- Cem Özdemir
- 2026 Elections
- The AfD's surge in the polls indicates a remarkable shift in voter preferences in Baden-Württemberg, with the party taking the lead over the traditionally strong Greens.
- Winfried Kretschmann, the Greens' state premier in Baden-Württemberg, faces intense competition as the AfD gains ground, signaling a significant change in the political landscape.
- The CDU, despite remaining stable at 31%, is observing the AfD's resurgence closely, as the political climate in Baden-Württemberg evolves towards a more nationalist and far-right tilt.
- The upcoming 2026 elections in Baden-Württemberg will be closely watched as the AfD, led by party leader Markus Frohnmaier, tries to solidify its position as a formidable player in the political scene.