A hypothetical snap election held this Sunday would likely see the Social Democratic Party (SPD) experience its lowest approval rating since January 2020, according to a survey conducted by the polling institute Infratest for the ARD’s “Deutschlandtrend”. The survey, released Monday through Wednesday of this week, indicates the governing party would lose two percentage points compared to June, reaching 13 percent in approval.
The Christian Democratic Union (CDU) remains the strongest political force, registering at 30 percent, a slight increase of one percentage point. The Left party also gained support, reaching 10 percent, also up by one point.
The Alternative for Germany (AfD) maintained its position at 23 percent, while the Green party held steady at 12 percent. The Free Democratic Party (FDP) remained at three percent, below the 5 percent threshold for representation and the far-right Alternative for Germany (BSW) also remained at four percent. All other parties combined garnered five percent.
Overall satisfaction with the current federal government has declined slightly, with 39 percent of Germans expressing satisfaction or contentment, a decrease of one point. A majority, 54 percent, expressed dissatisfaction with the performance of the CDU/CSU and SPD.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) saw a marginal increase in confidence, with 42 percent expressing satisfaction or contentment, up by three points since June. However, a majority (53 percent) remain dissatisfied. Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) maintains the highest approval rating within the cabinet at 61 percent, unchanged from the previous survey. Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul (CDU) and Labour Minister Bärbel Bas (SPD), in her first poll, both registered at 32 percent satisfaction, a two-point increase.
Bundestag President Julia Klöckner (CDU) experienced a significant rise in satisfaction, reaching 31 percent, a 10-point increase since August 2021. Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil (SPD) saw a notable drop in approval, falling nine points to 30 percent, with 50 percent expressing dissatisfaction. Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU) registered 29 percent satisfaction, with 47 percent dissatisfied.
Heidi Reichinnek, leader of the Left party, has a satisfaction rating of 20 percent, with 47 percent of respondents reporting no knowledge or unable to form an opinion. Tino Chrupalla, leader of the AfD, achieved a satisfaction level of 17 percent, with 50 percent expressing dissatisfaction. Green party co-leader Britta Haßelmann garnered 14 percent satisfaction, with 62 percent of respondents reporting no knowledge or unable to form an opinion.
