According to a recent Forsa survey, the German political party Alliance 90/The Greens have experienced a drop in popularity, with only 12% of respondents supporting them, marking their lowest level of support since June 2018. In contrast, the Union party saw a slight increase in support, climbing to 31%. The AfD, on the other hand, has fallen behind with only 17% of the vote. These trends suggest a shift in public opinion that could impact the upcoming elections.
The overall dissatisfaction with the Greens is reflected in their performance in the hypothetical voting scenario. If the Bundestag election were to take place this week, the CDU/CSU would lead with 31%, followed by the SPD at 16%, the Greens at 12%, the FDP at 5%, the AfD at 17%, and the BSW at 5%. Other parties, including the Left and Free Voters, would garner 14% of the vote. The number of non-voters and undecided voters stands at 23%, mirroring the percentage of non-voters in the previous general election, highlighting a lack of enthusiasm among the electorate.
In terms of the chancellorship, current Chancellor Olaf Scholz of the SPD has lost support, with only 17% of respondents choosing him in a direct election scenario. CDU leader Friedrich Merz would receive 22% of the vote, while Green party Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Robert Habeck would garner 16%. In a scenario where Green party Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock replaces Habeck, the results show 20% for Scholz, 25% for Merz, and 17% for Baerbock. These numbers indicate a growing preference for Merz, signaling a possible change in leadership dynamics in the upcoming election.
The Union party’s rise in popularity is also evident in perceptions of their political competence. When asked which party is best equipped to handle Germany’s issues, 16% of respondents chose CDU and CSU, while 9% selected the SPD, 7% chose the Greens and the AfD, 3% opted for the FDP, and 2% chose another party. However, the majority of respondents (56%) expressed a lack of confidence in any party’s ability to effectively address the country’s challenges. The data for the RTL/ntv-Trendbarometer was collected by Forsa on behalf of RTL Deutschland between April 9 and 15, with a sample size of 2505 respondents and a margin of error of plus/minus 2.5 percentage points.
The decline in support for the Green party suggests a shifting political landscape in Germany, with the Union party gaining ground and the SPD and AfD also seeing fluctuations in their popularity. The upcoming Bundestag election will be crucial in determining the future direction of the country, as voters express their dissatisfaction with current leadership and turn to alternative options. The shifting perceptions of political competence among the parties also highlight the need for effective leadership and policies to address the challenges facing Germany in the coming years. As the campaign season heats up, political parties will need to adapt their strategies to appeal to a diverse electorate and regain the trust of the German people.
