‘Putin’s friends’ in Germany: AfD now more popular than Merz’s party, reports say
Illustrative photo: If elections were held tomorrow, AfD would win (Bundestag website)
The pro-Russian far-right German party Alternative for Germany (AfD) is reportedly surpassing all other political forces in the country for the first time. The radical pro-Russian party is allegedly supported by 26% of Germany’s population, Bild reports, citing INSA.
According to the survey, the far-right overtook Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s party by 1%. Support for the pro-Russian radicals reached 26% of voters, while Merz’s party has 25%.
Among other parties, the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD) has 15% support (+1%), the Greens fell to 11%, and the Left Party also has 11% support.
The media outlet notes that Germany’s current government would not have a sufficient majority to form a cabinet of ministers if elections were held tomorrow. Meanwhile, a Christian Democratic Union/Christian Social Union (CDU/CSU) and AfD coalition would hold a 51% majority.
At the same time, Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s popularity continues to decline: only 25% are satisfied with the work of the chancellor and government. Meanwhile, 32% are dissatisfied specifically with Merz, and 38% with the government as a whole.
Photo: INSA
At the end of June, the German media reported that the SPD plans to legally ban AfD, despite the pro-Russian radicals having entered the Bundestag. Chancellor Merz’s CDU/CSU opposed this idea.
On May 2, the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution recognized AfD as an extremist organization. The status was granted due to the party’s hostile rhetoric, disregard for Holocaust memory, and use of Nazi slogans.
