Alternative for Germany (AfD) has now caught up in support with the CDU/CSU. Both parties can count on 26 percent backing, according to the DeutschlandTrend poll. The increase in support is due, among other things, to growing dissatisfaction with the CDU/CSU and SPD coalition government.
AfD Support Climbs Amid Growing Discontent
The largest opposition party in Germany, Alternative for Germany (AfD), continues to gain support among voters. According to the ARD DeutschlandTrend survey, the party can count on 26 percent support (an increase of 1% compared to September). This puts it for the first time level with the CDU/CSU, which also stands at 26 percent support (a decrease of 1 percentage point for the Christian Democrats compared to September).
Meanwhile, the SPD, which governs together with the CDU/CSU in Germany, can count on 14 percent support. The Greens rank next with 12 percent (+1 percentage point), followed by The Left with 10 percent. Both the FDP and BSW remain below the electoral threshold, each with 3 percent.
The growing popularity of AfD has several causes. Already in September, the DeutschlandTrend survey showed that citizens trust the party when it comes to its competence in several areas of policy. Alternative for Germany (AfD) is also benefiting from dissatisfaction with the federal government, which has been systematically increasing in recent months, from 51 percent at the beginning of June to 77 percent today.