The latest poll from Germany’s Bild newspaper shows the Alternative for Germany (AfD) hitting 22 percent, which is a two-point jump in just a week. It also marks the highest value in a year, when the AfD was at 22 percent in January 2024.
The poll also shows that the AfD is inching closer to the lead party in the polls, the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), which stands at 30 percent. There is still an eight-point gap between the parties, but that gap is now closing compared to previous polls, which often showed a 12-point gap or higher in recent months.
The positive polling data for the AfD come as the AfD party conference in Riesa ran this weekend, where party co-leader, Tino Chrupulla praised Alice Weidel for boosting the popularity of the party as elections approach at the end of February. The conference also saw violence, with Antifa groups attempting to block AfD politicians from attending, including blocking Weidel’s motorcade.
BUNDESTAGSWAHL | Sonntagsfrage INSA/BILD am Sonntag
Union: 30% (-1)
AfD: 22% (+2)
SPD: 16%
GRÜNE: 13%
BSW: 6% (-1)
FDP: 4%
LINKE: 3%
Sonstige: 6%
Änderungen zur letzten Umfrage vom 04. Januar 2025
Verlauf: https://t.co/f9MV7iZ8iJ#btw25 pic.twitter.com/nrgl6xg6HR
— Deutschland Wählt (@Wahlen_DE) January 11, 2025The polling shows the AfD is the second-strongest party in the country, with the Social Democrats (SPD) in third place at 16 percent. The greens are in fourth with 13 percent. Neither the FDP nor the Left Party were able to make it over 5 percent. The BSW is at 6 percent, a one-point drop from last week.
In polling for who Germans would prefer as chancellor, Weidel is also tied with Friedrich Merz, the head of the CDU party, with both at 21 percent. The SPD chancellor is at 14 percent, and Robert Habeck has the same value. Notably, 22 percent of respondents said they would not want any four of them.
As Remix News reported, Elon Musk’s endorsement of the party may be raising the party’s fortunes in the polls, but the Christmas market terror attack also may be a major factor. It is unclear if this late bump will stick in time to translate into a strong showing on election day, but for now, the momentum appears to be in the AfD’s favor.
