Setback for Merz in polls, moving him more towards the rear
German Politics: Merz's Union Loses Ground, Far-Right AfD Gains Momentum
In a significant shift in German politics, the Union, led by Friedrich Merz, is losing support, according to recent polls. The Union, which comprises the CDU and CSU, stands at 27% in the current INSA poll, a slight decrease from previous numbers.
The CDU, a part of the Union, loses one percentage point and stands at 21%, while the CSU gains from 5.5% to 6% in the same poll. This trend challenges the coalition government's viability leading up to the next elections and regional electoral tests in 2026.
The decline in the Union's support can be largely attributed to Merz's poor approval ratings. With a satisfaction rating of 29% and a dissatisfaction rating of 67%, Merz is losing ground. Voters feel little impact from his announced policies and see no "chancellor bonus" boost for him, unlike his predecessor Angela Merkel. Many critics point to Merz's perceived policy continuity with the previous government as a major factor in his declining popularity.
On the other hand, the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) is gaining momentum. The party, which has a strong base in Eastern Germany, has risen to become the most popular party with 26% support, according to polls. The AfD's success can be attributed to voter dissatisfaction, opposition to migration, and their ability to capitalize on the Union's losses.
The CSU's gains are more regional and less tied to Merz’s popularity. Based in Bavaria, the CSU often maintains more stable regional support, which might partly explain its relative strength within the alliance despite broader losses for Merz's CDU leadership.
Other notable changes in the politician ranking include Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU) improving by three places to rank 5th, Thorsten Frei falling from 7th to 8th place, and Jens Spahn remaining at 20th place. Alice Weidel (AfD) also gains popularity and climbs significantly in the ranking. In the opposition, Sahra Wagenknecht (BSW) also gains popularity and climbs significantly in the ranking.
The Greens, led by Franziska Brantner, slip to 17th place, while the SPD remains at 14.5% in the poll. The Left politician Ines Schwerdtner makes up places in the ranking, and the FDP improves slightly from 3% to 3.5% in the poll. Parties that fail to clear the five-percent hurdle receive 13.5% of votes in the poll.
Merz's announcement to stop weapons deliveries to Israel on August 8 may have contributed to the Union's loss of support. However, the CSU's opposition to this decision may have also contributed to its gain in support.
This political landscape presents a challenging road ahead for the coalition government as they navigate the complexities of German politics in the lead-up to the next elections.
In the midst of German politics, the debate on policy-and-legislation and general-news has been influenced by the Union's losing ground, with Friedrich Merz's poor approval ratings and perceived policy continuity being significant factors. Conversely, the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) has gained momentum, attributed to voter dissatisfaction and opposition to migration, making it the most popular party in the current climate.
