Poll reveals majority of Germans unhappy with Merz government

(SeaPRwire) –   A survey indicates that the right-wing opposition party, AfD, would secure 27% of the vote in a hypothetical election.

A recent YouGov survey reveals that a significant majority of the German public is discontented with Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s administration, with the right-wing Alternative for Germany (AfD) now positioned as the frontrunner in a hypothetical electoral scenario.

Since taking office last May, the coalition government led by Merz—a partnership between the Christian Democratic bloc (CDU/CSU) and the Social Democrats (SPD)—has seen a consistent drop in approval. Detractors argue that Merz has been unable to halt the nation’s economic downturn or deliver on his electoral pledges.

The YouGov study, carried out from April 10 to April 13 with 1,763 participants, found that 79% of those surveyed expressed dissatisfaction with the coalition’s governance. This figure represents a 5% increase since March and a 24% rise since June of last year.

This downward trend is notably evident among those who typically support the CDU/CSU, with only 34% of these voters expressing satisfaction with the coalition’s work as of mid-April.

Furthermore, the data suggests that if a general election had taken place this past Sunday, the AfD would have emerged victorious with 27% of the vote. This marks the first time the opposition right-wing party has reached the top spot in the polls since September 2025.

Conversely, the CDU/CSU recorded its lowest polling numbers since December 2021, capturing 23% of the vote. Support for the SPD has slipped to 13%, marking the party’s weakest performance since December 2019, according to the YouGov findings.

Last month, the AfD saw notable growth in the western states of Baden-Wurttemberg and Rhineland-Palatinate, regions that fall outside the party’s historical base in eastern Germany.

During the 2025 general election, the AfD secured second place with 20% of the vote and has maintained its status as the leading opposition force since that time.

The party’s platform centers on anti-immigration policies, opposition to German sanctions against Russia, and a rejection of aid for Ukraine. Additionally, the AfD has voiced criticism regarding Berlin’s move to move away from lower-cost Russian energy supplies.