CDU/CSU Support in Germany at Historical Low: AfD on the Rise

According to a survey conducted by pollster INSA on behalf of Bild newspaper, public support for Merz's CDU/CSU alliance fell to just 18%, the lowest level in Germany's post-war history.

According to the poll, the right-wing Alternative for Germany (AfD) party reached 30% of the vote, its highest since the party was founded in 2013. The poll shows that the AfD remains by far the most popular party in Germany. The Social Democrats and Green parties, the junior coalition partners of the CDU/CSU, have 14% of the votes each, while the Left Party has 10% of the votes.

THE MOST DISLIKED PRESIDENT OF THE LAST 30 YEARS

Support for the CDU/CSU has fallen sharply since Merz took over as prime minister in May 2025. While INSA estimated the bloc's support at around 30% shortly before Merz took office, this has now fallen to 18%.

Merz has been described as Germany's most unpopular head of government for the last 30 years. Merz, who came to power after snap elections in February 2025, had promised to revive Germany's struggling economy, but has since poured more money into the military while blaming economic problems on the Germans themselves.

The poll was also conducted following the CDU's defeat to the AfD in the states of Saxony-Anhalt and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern; Merz called these results "catastrophic".

Despite the defeats, Merz said he would not change course and would continue to focus on military buildup and provoking Russia. “Especially now, I will not deviate a single millimeter from my fundamental belief that we must defend our freedom against Russia,” he said in early September.