Shifting Tides: CDU Gains Ground as SPD Continues to Slide in New Poll
A recent poll conducted by the Institute for Opinion Research (Insa) and published by “Bild”, reveals a subtle but significant shift in the German political landscape. The Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and its Bavarian sister party, CSU, have marginally increased their support, closing the gap with the Alternative for Germany (AfD). While the AfD remains the leading party with 26.5% support, the CDU/CSU now stands at 25%, a gain of 0.5 percentage points compared to last week.
The figures underscore deepening anxieties about the fragility of the current governing coalition. The Social Democratic Party (SPD) continues to face challenges, experiencing a further decline in voter support, now registering at 14%, a drop of 0.5 percentage points. The combined support for the governing coalition partners, CDU/CSU and SPD, now sits precariously below 40%, indicative of a potentially unstable future for the government.
The Green Party shows a slight resurgence, gaining 0.5 percentage points to reach 11.5%, while the Left party has lost ground, dropping to 10.5%. The recently formed BSW (Alliance for Progress and Justice) and the Free Democratic Party (FDP) remain below the crucial 5% threshold, highlighting their continuing struggles for parliamentary representation.
“The CDU is succeeding in narrowing the distance to the AfD” stated Hermann Binkert, CEO of Insa, adding a pointed observation regarding the SPD’s struggles – “Because the SPD is losing support, the coalition parties remain below 40 percent.
The poll, conducted between October 10th and 13th, 2025, surveyed 2,008 citizens and represents a snapshot of a nation grappling with complex socio-economic pressures, rising populism and a growing questioning of established political norms. The results are likely to fuel debate on the government’s strategy for addressing the AfD’s continued strength and stabilizing the SPD’s position, while also intensifying scrutiny of the political viability of smaller parties vying for a place in the Bundestag. The narrowing gap between the CDU and AfD requires deeper analysis, raising concerns about potential shifts in voter priorities and the broader appeal of right-wing narratives.
