According to polling conducted by the institute Infratest, the CDU and CSU have seen a drop in voter support, while the AfD continues to gain ground. Should a federal election take place this Sunday, the Union (CDU/CSU) currently holds 21 percent of support, a one-percentage-point decrease from early July and its weakest standing for the two sister parties since November 2021.
Meanwhile, the AfD currently registers 28 percent, representing a one-point increase from the previous month and its highest figure in the regular ARD “Deutschlandtrend” surveys. All other parties showed no change from the previous month: the SPD remains at 12 percent, the Greens at 15 percent, The Left at 11 percent, and the FDP at 4 percent. Smaller parties collectively account for 9 percent of the vote.
Regarding potential cooperation with the AfD, 27 percent of respondents (up 3 points from June) believe collaboration should be sought, largely identifying as AfD supporters themselves. A further 32 percent would decide on collaboration on a case-by-case basis, while 37 percent would fundamentally reject working with the party (down 4 points). The majority of supporters of the Greens (77 percent), The Left (74 percent), and the SPD (61 percent) are against any fundamental cooperation. Among Union supporters, 7 percent would seek collaboration, 48 percent would be case-by-case, and 44 percent would oppose working with the AfD.
In terms of government performance, 13 percent of the public are satisfied or very satisfied with the federal government’s work, similar to last month. However, five out of six Germans (85 percent) are dissatisfied or not satisfied with the work of the CDU and SPD.
As for federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU), 14 percent of voters surveyed in early August are very satisfied or satisfied-a slight improvement of one point from July. Nevertheless, five out of six Germans (84 percent) are dissatisfied or not satisfied with his performance.
Minister of Defense Boris Pistorius (SPD) is positively viewed by slightly more than half of the population (53 percent are satisfied or very satisfied), making him the only cabinet member consistently receiving a majority positive rating. Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul (CDU) is rated as satisfied by 32 percent (a four-point increase). Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU) has improved his satisfaction rating to 28 percent (up 6 points), though 54 percent remain dissatisfied (down 4 points). Vice Chancellor and Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil (SPD) enjoys a 23 percent satisfaction rating (up 2 points), compared to 62 percent dissatisfaction (down 2 points). Party colleague and Labor Minister Bärbel Bas currently achieves 22 percent satisfaction (up 4 points), while 55 percent are dissatisfied (down 5 points). Economic Minister Katherina Reiche (CDU) is rated as satisfactory by 15 percent (up 4 points), with 58 percent expressing dissatisfaction (down 5 points).
Looking at the opposition, Tino Chrupalla, the AfD faction leader, is deemed satisfactory by 22 percent of respondents (up 3 points from June), while 51 percent are dissatisfied (down 4 points). Heidi Reichinnek, the Left faction leader, receives 19 percent satisfaction (up 1 point) against 42 percent dissatisfaction (down 1 point). Britta Haßelmann, the Green faction leader, commands 11 percent satisfaction (up 1 point), 28 percent dissatisfaction (down 3 points), and a plurality of 61 percent either do not know her or refuse to form an opinion.
Infratest surveyed 1,297 eligible voters aged 18 and older across Germany between August 3rd and August 5th.
