The Far-Right Alternative for Germany (AfD) Gaining Popularity Ahead of Coalition Government Parties
The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) is currently polling ahead of the three parties that make up the country’s coalition government, according to Wahlrecht data. Immigration concerns are believed to be a major issue for voters.
Based on data collected from eight different platforms, the AfD is currently polling between 19% and 23% nationally, with respondents indicating their preferred party if a federal election were to be held the following Sunday.
Support for AfD Surpasses Social Democrats, Greens, and Free Democrats
The data reveals that support for the AfD is higher than that for the Social Democrats (SDP), the Greens, and the pro-business Free Democrats (FDP), which currently form Germany’s coalition government. The Christian Democratic Union party (CDU), previously led by Chancellor Angela Merkel, currently polls the highest.
The upcoming state elections in Hesse, which includes Frankfurt, and Bavaria, which includes Munich, will be crucial in gauging German sentiment towards the AfD and whether voters view the party as a solution to Germany’s major social and economic challenges.
In June, the far-right party won a district council seat for the first time in the eastern town of Sonneberg in the state of Thuringia, prompting interest in whether other constituencies will follow suit.
Immigration Key Issue for AfD Supporters
In Hesse, located in west-central Germany, education standards and traffic logistics are factors pushing voters to choose the AfD, according to Robert Lambrou, the party’s candidate for the state. However, immigration remains the number one issue.
“First of all, you need a political will to stop it, and we don’t see this will among the other parties. And many citizens feel the same way,” Lambrou stated in an interview with .
“People are heavily disappointed by the government’s policies,” he added.
The outcome of the upcoming regional elections will serve as a significant test for Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who has led through the energy crisis and during a time when Germany is once again seen as “the sick man of Europe.”
Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action did not immediately respond to ‘s request for comment.
‘A Backlash’ Against Current Government
German banks have joined in criticizing Scholz’s policies, arguing that structural changes are necessary to prevent a right-wing political shift.
“For a long time, we were in good shape and maybe complacent, not prepared to modernize and tackle the necessary structural changes,” said Commerzbank CEO Manfred Knof at the Handelsblatt Banking Summit 2023 in September.
“I think an agenda could also help bring the population back, and of course, democracy is not self-evident. We need to fight for it and defend it,” he added.
Hans-Werner Sinn, president emeritus at the Ifo institute, believes that the government’s focus on a greener future will likely result in right-leaning political consequences.
“There is clearly a backlash… The population is now moving to the right,” Sinn stated, referring to the AfD’s increasing popularity.
“I am not here to make evaluations, but… the policies that were completely overdrawn for ideological reasons… Pragmatism is somewhat lacking in current policy,” he told ‘s Steve Sedgwick at the Ambrosetti Forum in Italy last month.
