Blab Politics
German Voters Express Deep Discontent With Political Parties, AfD Leads in Latest Poll
A fresh RTL/ntv Trend Barometer poll released on 12 August 2026 paints a stark picture of German political disaffection. Only 12 % of respondents believe that parties are tackling the country’s real problems, while a sweeping 84 % disagree. The sentiment is almost identical across the former East and West, with 86 % of eastern voters and 84 % of western voters sharing the same frustration.
Conducted by Forsa for RTL Deutschland between 4 and 10 August, the survey spotlights the growing dominance of the far‑right Alternative for Germany (AfD). The party captured 28 % of the vote, a seven‑point lead over the CDU/CSU bloc at 21 %. In the west, 31 % of voters singled out AfD as the party that cares least about people’s problems, a figure that drops to 19 % in the east.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s personal support slipped to a new low of 13 %, down one percentage point from the previous week. Among voters who identify with the conservative bloc, 54 % are dissatisfied with Merz, while 83 % of those who align with the Social Democratic Party (SPD) express similar discontent. The SPD itself records 12 % support, matching the Left party’s 12 % but a point lower than the week before.
The Greens hold third place with 16 % of the vote, continuing a modest upward trend. The CDU/CSU, while trailing AfD, remains the second‑largest bloc at 21 %. These figures arrive ahead of Germany’s next federal election, scheduled for 23 February 2027, and echo a broader pattern of waning trust in mainstream parties.
Political analysts note that the AfD’s rise has been steady since the 2025 federal election, when it moved from fifth to second place in the Bundestag. The party’s focus on anti‑immigration, Euroscepticism, and national‑conservative messaging has resonated with voters who feel left behind by economic and social changes. Meanwhile, the CDU/CSU’s support has stagnated, and the party’s coalition with the SPD has not restored confidence among its traditional base.
Regional differences in party perception also emerge. While AfD is seen as the least caring party by a larger share of western voters, eastern respondents are less critical, possibly reflecting the AfD’s stronger historical foothold in former East Germany. The data suggest that regional identities continue to shape party support.
In the broader context, the poll’s low approval of Chancellor Merz coincides with his recent policy initiatives, including a spending boost approved by the Bundestag in March 2025 and his stance on border security. Despite these measures, public approval remains fragile, with 54 % of conservatives and 83 % of SPD supporters expressing dissatisfaction.
The trend of declining trust in mainstream parties could influence the upcoming election’s outcome. If AfD’s support continues to grow, it may challenge the traditional two‑party system and force coalition negotiations to consider new alignments. Conversely, a surge in support for the Greens or a revival of the CDU/CSU could reshape the political landscape.
At present, the poll indicates that German voters are largely disillusioned with the political status quo. The AfD remains the most popular party, while the CDU/CSU and SPD struggle to regain voter confidence. The next federal election will be a critical test of whether the current political dynamics will shift or persist.
The poll’s findings underscore the urgency for parties to address voter concerns more effectively. Whether through policy adjustments or renewed outreach, the parties will need to respond to the 84 % of voters who feel that their interests are not being represented.
In summary, the RTL/ntv Trend Barometer shows a fragmented political landscape: AfD leads with 28 %, the CDU/CSU follows at 21 %, the Greens hold 16 %, and the SPD and Left each secure 12 %. Chancellor Merz’s support sits at 13 %, with high dissatisfaction among both conservative and SPD voters. The next federal election will determine whether these trends continue or reverse.
Conducted by Forsa for RTL Deutschland between 4 and 10 August, the survey spotlights the growing dominance of the far‑right Alternative for Germany (AfD). The party captured 28 % of the vote, a seven‑point lead over the CDU/CSU bloc at 21 %. In the west, 31 % of voters singled out AfD as the party that cares least about people’s problems, a figure that drops to 19 % in the east.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s personal support slipped to a new low of 13 %, down one percentage point from the previous week. Among voters who identify with the conservative bloc, 54 % are dissatisfied with Merz, while 83 % of those who align with the Social Democratic Party (SPD) express similar discontent. The SPD itself records 12 % support, matching the Left party’s 12 % but a point lower than the week before.
The Greens hold third place with 16 % of the vote, continuing a modest upward trend. The CDU/CSU, while trailing AfD, remains the second‑largest bloc at 21 %. These figures arrive ahead of Germany’s next federal election, scheduled for 23 February 2027, and echo a broader pattern of waning trust in mainstream parties.
Political analysts note that the AfD’s rise has been steady since the 2025 federal election, when it moved from fifth to second place in the Bundestag. The party’s focus on anti‑immigration, Euroscepticism, and national‑conservative messaging has resonated with voters who feel left behind by economic and social changes. Meanwhile, the CDU/CSU’s support has stagnated, and the party’s coalition with the SPD has not restored confidence among its traditional base.
Regional differences in party perception also emerge. While AfD is seen as the least caring party by a larger share of western voters, eastern respondents are less critical, possibly reflecting the AfD’s stronger historical foothold in former East Germany. The data suggest that regional identities continue to shape party support.
In the broader context, the poll’s low approval of Chancellor Merz coincides with his recent policy initiatives, including a spending boost approved by the Bundestag in March 2025 and his stance on border security. Despite these measures, public approval remains fragile, with 54 % of conservatives and 83 % of SPD supporters expressing dissatisfaction.
The trend of declining trust in mainstream parties could influence the upcoming election’s outcome. If AfD’s support continues to grow, it may challenge the traditional two‑party system and force coalition negotiations to consider new alignments. Conversely, a surge in support for the Greens or a revival of the CDU/CSU could reshape the political landscape.
At present, the poll indicates that German voters are largely disillusioned with the political status quo. The AfD remains the most popular party, while the CDU/CSU and SPD struggle to regain voter confidence. The next federal election will be a critical test of whether the current political dynamics will shift or persist.
The poll’s findings underscore the urgency for parties to address voter concerns more effectively. Whether through policy adjustments or renewed outreach, the parties will need to respond to the 84 % of voters who feel that their interests are not being represented.
In summary, the RTL/ntv Trend Barometer shows a fragmented political landscape: AfD leads with 28 %, the CDU/CSU follows at 21 %, the Greens hold 16 %, and the SPD and Left each secure 12 %. Chancellor Merz’s support sits at 13 %, with high dissatisfaction among both conservative and SPD voters. The next federal election will determine whether these trends continue or reverse.
