A poll released on the 16th shows the ruling coalition of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and Christian Social Union (CSU) at just 20% support, a near five-year low, trailing the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) by 8 percentage points.
The survey, conducted by the Forsa Institute from the 10th to the 14th among 1,203 Germans, shows the Union at 20%, down 1 point from the previous week and the lowest level in the institute's polling since October 2021. The AfD held steady at 28%, the highest of any party.
The Social Democrats (SPD), the Union's coalition partner, stood at 12%, meaning the two governing parties together were only 4 points above the AfD.
The poll also showed 78% of respondents dissatisfied with Chancellor Merz's performance and only 16% satisfied; 80% disapproved of the coalition government's performance.
Forsa head Hermann Binkert said the trend of falling support and rising opposition for the governing coalition may be "irreversible." Critics point to divisions over taxes, social welfare and fiscal spending, with many reforms stalled and the government failing to deliver on promises amid stagnant growth.
Source: CCTV News | Original
