©picture alliance / dts-Agentur | dts Nachrichtenagentur GmbH
The far-right AfD is on track to become the largest party in a state election in eastern Germany in September. If it were to make it, it would mean Alternative für Deutschland would lead a regional government for the first time. This is according to a new poll conducted by polling firm Infratest Dimap.
The new poll shows that support for the AfD rises to 41 percent in the state of Saxony-Anhalt. This is an increase of 2 percentage points from the previous poll. And that's not good news for German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. After all, his party is not doing well.
Indeed, the AfD remains well ahead of the CDU, Merz's party, as it currently polls at 26 percent. In contrast, the SPD, Merz's socialist coalition partner, remains stuck at 7 percent.
It's not only in the eastern part of Germany that the far-right AfD is gaining in popularity, for in national polls the party is now almost on par with the CDU. And in the German parliament, the Bundestag, the party has had the second most seats since last year's elections. Other German political parties, however, have already indicated that they do not want to cooperate with the AfD.
The next state elections will take place in September. Political experts explain AfD's rising popularity by dissatisfaction with existing politics, problems surrounding the economy, migration, war in Ukraine and climate policy. Many voters would use AfD as a protest vote against the current government. However, the party is widely criticized because of its views on migration.
©picture alliance / dts-Agentur | dts Nachrichtenagentur GmbH