According to a recent poll conducted by the opinion research institute Forsa, both the AfD and the CDU/CSU have lost a percentage point of support compared to the previous week. The “Trendbarometer,” which surveyed a total of 2,502 people between September 8th and 14th, shows the AfD maintaining a strong lead with 27 percent. Meanwhile, the Union (CDU/CSU) has fallen to 20 percent, reaching its lowest point since October 2021.
The Green Party saw a two-point increase, climbing to 18 percent-their best figure since April 2023. The Left Party gained one point, now equaling the Social Democratic Party (SPD) at 12 percent. The FDP remained stable at four percent, while the BSW registered three percent. The segment of non-voters and undecided respondents stood at 26 percent, exceeding the 17.9 percent share of non-voters recorded during the 2025 federal election.
Currently, the domestic focus of German citizens is heavily influenced by the local elections in Eastern Germany, and specifically the outcome of the state elections in Saxony-Anhalt. Sixty percent of respondents cited these state elections as one of the most important issues. This is significantly ahead of the government’s work at 22 percent, and the general economic situation at 21 percent. Other significant concerns included the war in Ukraine (15 percent), right-wing radicalism (11 percent), and the war in the Middle East (10 percent).
When asked which party they believe is most likely to solve Germany’s problems, the AfD remains in the lead with unchanged support at 13 percent. The CDU/CSU lost a point, dropping to 11 percent. The Greens were rated as politically competent by eight percent, while the SPD and Left Party both received five percent. Crucially, more than half of the surveyed individuals (55 percent) still believe that no single party is capable of solving Germany’s problems.
Satisfaction with the performance of Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) has fallen to a new low. Only 10 percent of the public expressed satisfaction with his work, a three-point drop from the previous week, resulting in 88 percent expressing dissatisfaction-the lowest measurement Forsa has recorded for him. Even among his core supporters, dissatisfaction is prevalent, with 57 percent unhappy and 42 percent satisfied. This places Merz at a significantly weaker rating compared to his predecessor, Olaf Scholz, whose lowest measured point in July 2024 was 76 percent dissatisfaction versus 23 percent satisfaction.
Regarding economic prospects, the majority remain pessimistically inclined, although sentiment showed a slight improvement from the prior week. Sixteen percent of respondents anticipate an improvement in Germany’s economic conditions, a point increment from last week. Conversely, 63 percent still expect a decline, down from 65 percent the week before. Twenty-one percent believe the economic situation will remain unchanged, causing the calculated economic index to rise from minus 50 to minus 47 points.
