Key facts
- 47% of Germans believe the CDU's exclusion of cooperation with the AfD is not right.
- 47% of Germans believe the CDU's exclusion of cooperation with the AfD is right.
- Opposition to the CDU's exclusion policy has risen by 12 points since September 2024.
- The AfD remains Germany's strongest party in national polling at 27%.
- A clear majority in eastern Germany opposes the CDU's stance, while a narrow majority in western Germany supports it.
- Only half of respondents support their preferred party out of conviction, with 46% motivated by disappointment with alternatives.
A new Deutschlandtrend survey by Infratest Dimap for ARD and Welt reveals a significant shift in German public opinion regarding the established parties' 'firewall' against cooperating with the right-wing Alternative for Germany (AfD). Currently, 47 percent of Germans believe the CDU's refusal to work with the AfD is incorrect, while the same proportion believe it is correct. This marks a substantial change from September 2024, with opposition to the exclusion policy increasing by 12 points and support decreasing by 13 points.
The AfD continues to lead national polls at 27 percent, ahead of the CDU/CSU at 23 percent. While a majority of CDU/CSU voters still support the exclusion policy, the broader national consensus is eroding. The divide is particularly pronounced between eastern and western Germany, with eastern regions showing a clear majority against the exclusion policy. The poll also highlights a crisis of confidence in established parties, with many voters motivated by disappointment with alternatives rather than conviction in their chosen party. This sentiment is especially strong among AfD supporters. The findings follow a series of electoral successes for the AfD, particularly in eastern Germany, and coincide with deep dissatisfaction with Chancellor Friedrich Merz and the federal government, with only 16 percent satisfied with his performance. Economic pessimism is also a major concern for voters, with the economy now the top issue.