Alternative for Germany Reaches Record Popularity Among Voters

In a significant shift in the German political landscape, the Alternative for Germany (AfD) has achieved unprecedented levels of support among voters, according to a recent survey conducted by the Insa Institute. Should a federal election take place this coming Sunday, the AfD would garner approximately 25% of the votes, marking a half-point increase from the previous week and representing the highest level of support the party has ever recorded.

In contrast, the traditional parties, including the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and the Christian Social Union (CSU), have also seen their support dip slightly, as they remain tied with the AfD at 25%. Meanwhile, the Social Democratic Party (SPD) has experienced a more pronounced decline, dropping to 15%, a full point lower than in the previous survey. The Left Party (BSW) has gained half a point, bringing its total support to 5%.

Hermann Binkert, the head of Insa, commented that the current trend indicates a growing perception among the electorate that the AfD could emerge as the dominant political force in the next Bundestag election. He noted that since the last federal election, the coalition parties, which are primarily composed of the CDU/CSU and SPD, have collectively lost around five percentage points of voter support, equivalent to one in nine voters.

The Insa survey, commissioned by a major German publication, involved the participation of 2,010 citizens between April 17 and April 22, 2025, reflecting a broad cross-section of public opinion.

This surge in support for the AfD can be attributed to a variety of factors, including growing concerns among the electorate regarding immigration policies, economic management, and the handling of social issues by the current government. The party has capitalized on these sentiments, positioning itself as a viable alternative to the traditional political establishments.

As the political climate in Germany evolves, the implications of this shift in voter sentiment may prove significant, influencing not only the strategies of the major parties but also the overall direction of German politics in the coming years. Analysts will be closely monitoring future polls to see if this trend continues and how it may affect the upcoming elections.