AfD on the rise: only 1 percent behind the CDU!

AfD on the rise: only 1 percent behind the CDU!

The political landscape in Germany is facing a remarkable upheaval. According to current surveys conducted by the Elections Research Group, the CDU and CSU parties are losing support. In particular, the pressure on the CDU chairman Friedrich Merz is growing, while the AfD is continuously catching up and is now only one percentage point behind the CDU. This is reported by various media, including oe24.

RTL's latest trend barometer shows the following picture: The CDU/CSU has 25 percent (minus 1), while the AfD has recorded a historic rise with 24 percent (plus 1). According to the other rankings, the SPD achieved 15 percent, the Greens 12 percent, the Left 10 percent and the FDP and BSW each 4 percent. Other parties accounted for 6 percent of the vote. The AfD could therefore become the strongest force in the polls for the first time in the history of the Federal Republic of Germany.

Current survey results

In addition to the current figures, the Elections Research Group distinguishes between the “political mood” and the “projection”. While the political mood considers the answers to the Sunday question weighted according to gender, age and education, projections refer to adjusted data with regard to basic political beliefs and party loyalties. The Internet provider Wahlrecht.de states that the surveys reflect how the votes would be distributed if there were a federal election next Sunday.

The latest survey results from March 21, 2025 clearly show the current values: CDU/CSU are at 24 percent, the SPD at 18 percent, while the Greens reach 17 percent. The AfD is also at 17 percent. Other parties, such as the FDP and the Left, are popular with voters at 4 percent and 12 percent respectively. At the same time, there are 17.5 percent undecided and 17.5 percent non-voters. Historically, the CDU/CSU's poll numbers have continued to deteriorate in 2025. Compared to the surveys in January, in which the CDU/CSU still had 29 percent, the decline is significant. The comparison to the 2021 federal election is also exciting, when the CDU/CSU only received 24.1 percent of the vote, while the SPD won the election with 25.7 percent.

Future outlook and political debates

The ongoing decline of the CDU and the entire conservative spectrum is leading to intensive discussions within the party about future strategy and direction. Friedrich Merz is at the center of these debates as pressure mounts on him to win back the voter base. However, the AfD, which is making strong gains, could permanently change the political balance in Germany and could potentially challenge the dominance of the traditional parties.