Union and AfD Align in September 2025 Polls for First Time Equal Standing in Political Landscape
In a recent poll conducted by the Mannheimer Forschungsgruppe Wahlen from September 16 to 18, 2025, the political landscape of Germany has been revealed. The poll, representative of the eligible population, provides insights into the public's stance on various issues, including NATO responses to Russian provocations, political sentiments, and economic policies.
The poll results indicate a divided public opinion on NATO's response to Russian provocations. Forty-seven percent believe that NATO should respond with more military strength, while 44% reject this. However, a majority of 51% in the eastern part of the country support a stronger NATO response.
The political sentiment data for the poll shows the CDU/CSU at 28%, the AfD at 21%, the SPD at 16%, the Greens at 14%, the Left at 13%, the BSW at 2%, and the FDP at 2%. Despite the growing support for the AfD, only a minority of 21% expect better politics if it co-governs at the federal level.
When it comes to how additional financial resources should be raised for the implementation of various government projects, a majority of 56% favors spending cuts. The next Politbarometer will be broadcast by ZDF on Thursday, October 2, 2025.
The party that held third place in both voter sympathy and performance expectations was the SPD. The SPD had 15 percent in voter intention and held the best evaluation of political work with a positive rating of 0.4 points. The Left would improve slightly to 11% (plus 1) and the BSW and the FDP could still expect 3% each. The SPD would remain at 15% and the Greens would have slight losses, reaching 10% (minus 1).
The poll also shed light on the public's perception of various politicians. Defense Minister Boris Pistorius remains the most favorably rated politician, with an average sympathy and performance rating of 1.8. Sahra Wagenknecht is in ninth place with a rating of -1.9, and Alice Weidel remains the least favorably rated politician with a rating of -2.4.
Notably, a black-red coalition would still not have a parliamentary majority with these results. The federal election, if held next Sunday, would result in a tie between the CDU/CSU and the AfD, each at 26% of the vote.
The poll also revealed concerns about potential Russian aggression, with more than half of respondents (56%) believing that a Russian attack on eastern NATO countries such as Poland or the Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania will occur. Eighty-one percent believe that Russia intentionally violated Polish airspace with a larger number of combat drones a few days ago.
Lastly, the poll found that 60% of Germans believe the AfD is voted for out of protest, while 34% attribute its support to the backing of its political demands. Fifty-two percent of Germans find the accumulation of very high debts appropriate given the current challenges, while 42% do not. The CDU fundamentally rejects political cooperation with the AfD, with 63% of respondents approving of this.
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