Alternative for Germany Expands Lead Over Friedrich Merz’s Conservatives
According to a national opinion poll commissioned by the tabloid Bild and conducted by the Insa institute, the right-wing Alternative for Germany (AfD) party has expanded its lead over the conservative bloc led by Friedrich Merz. As reported by DPA and BTA, the opposition AfD gained one percentage point to reach 29% support in the latest survey. Meanwhile, the conservative bloc—comprising the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and its Bavarian sister party, the Christian Social Union (CSU)—remains flat at 20% support, leaving a nine-point gap between the two political forces.
Shifts Among Governing and Opposition Parties in Insa Polling
The Insa survey data shows movement further down the political spectrum, with the opposition Greens also adding a single percentage point to reach 14% support. According to DPA and BTA, this marginal gain allows the Greens to edge past the Social Democratic Party (SPD), which serves as the junior partner in the government and sits at 13% support. This national polling arrives directly on the heels of regional outcomes in Saxony-Anhalt, where the AfD secured a record 43,8% of the vote.
Local Elections Underway in Lower Saxony Amid Security Scrutiny
Polling stations opened at 8 a.m. for local elections in the German state of Lower Saxony, drawing heightened national attention following the AfD’s regional victory on September 6. According to DPA and BTA, roughly 6,3 млн. eligible voters in the state are casting ballots for mayors, district administrators, and local councils. While local contests rarely command broad geographic focus, this vote serves as a temperature check ahead of upcoming elections in Berlin and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania scheduled for September 20, as well as a barometer ahead of federal elections slated for 2029.
Historical Strength and Regional Hurdles for the AfD
While the AfD commands dominant numbers across eastern states on the territory of the former East Germany, it faces a tougher political landscape in western states like Lower Saxony, where the party secured just 4,6% at the district level during the 2021 local elections. According to DPA and BTA, the state’s regional AfD branch operates under surveillance by the domestic intelligence agency over suspicions of right-wing extremism, a designation the party is actively challenging in court. State officials also barred four AfD candidates from participating in the current Lower Saxony ballot due to concerns regarding their loyalty to the constitution.
Party Leadership Stance on Ukrainian Aid and Residency
Amid these electoral contests, AfD leader Alice Weidel has outlined aggressive proposals regarding Ukrainian refugees residing in Germany. In an interview with AUF1 reported via regional wire services, Weidel stated that millions of Ukrainians should be forced to leave the country and that all assistance should be cut off. She asserted that the presence of more than one million Ukrainians receiving social welfare benefits in Germany is incredible and disadvantageous, singling out hundreds of thousands of young Ukrainian men of military age for forced return while demanding significant financial reparations from Ukraine for war damages.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current polling percentage for the AfD?
According to the Insa institute poll commissioned by Bild, the AfD stands at 29% national support.
How much support do Friedrich Merz’s conservatives have?
The CDU/CSU conservative bloc holds 20% support in the same Insa survey.
When are the next federal elections in Germany scheduled?
Federal elections in Germany are scheduled for 2029.
Why is the AfD branch in Lower Saxony under observation?
The regional party organization is monitored by the domestic intelligence agency over suspicions of right-wing extremism, though the party disputes the measure in court.
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