The latest INSA poll puts the far-right AfD at 29%, eight points ahead of Chancellor Friedrich Merz's centre-right bloc at 21%. Voter frustration over the government's response to the war in Iran and slow reforms appears to be boosting AfD support. Merz's approval has fallen sharply in his first year—77% are dissatisfied and just 15% satisfied. Smaller parties FDP and BSW remain below the 5% parliamentary threshold at 3% each.
AfD Extends Lead Over Merz's Conservatives as INSA Poll Shows Record Gap
FILE PHOTO - (L-R) Emil Saenze and Markus Frohnmaier, the two state chairmen of Baden-Wuerttemberg, welcome Alice Weidel, Federal Chairwoman of the Alternative for Germany (AfD), at the Congress Centrum during the AfD state party convention. (is associated with: «Germany's far-right AfD extends polling lead over Merz's conservatives») Stefan Puchner/dpa
A new INSA poll released on Saturday shows the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) extending its lead over Chancellor Friedrich Merz's conservative bloc. The survey records the AfD steady at 29%, a record eight percentage points ahead of Merz's centre-right coalition, which fell one point to 21%.
The anti-immigrant AfD has enjoyed a surge in support amid growing public frustration with the coalition government's handling of the war in Iran and the slow pace of domestic reforms. At the national level, Merz's Christian Democrats (CDU) govern in partnership with the Bavaria-only Christian Social Union (CSU) and the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD).
Key Poll Findings
The INSA survey, conducted between June 1 and June 5, finds Merz's popularity has slumped during his first year in office: 77% of respondents said they are dissatisfied with his performance (up six points since April), while only 15% said they are satisfied (down four points).
Other parties trailed the frontrunners: the Greens polled at 14%, the SPD at 12% and The Left at 11%. Two smaller parties — the pro-business Free Democrats (FDP) and the populist BSW — were each on 3%, below the 5% threshold required to enter the German parliament.
The results underline growing political volatility in Germany, with voters reacting to foreign policy concerns and domestic reform delays. The governing coalition now faces increased pressure as the AfD consolidates its lead in the polls.
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