Germany’s political scene is undergoing a shake-up as the right-wing populist Alternative for Germany (AfD) surpasses Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s Christian Democratic Union (CDU) in popularity. A Forsa Institute poll shows AfD at 26% support, narrowly ahead of the CDU’s 24% its poorest showing since the 2021 election.
Merz Faces Growing Disapproval as AfD Rises Despite Extremist Label Controversy
Chancellor Merz, in office since May, is facing mounting criticism, with 67% of respondents voicing dissatisfaction after just 100 days of his leadership. This public disapproval has coincided with AfD’s steady rise, positioning it as the largest opposition force in the Bundestag and challenging the dominance of Germany’s traditional political order.
The AfD, led by Alice Weidel, came under fresh scrutiny earlier this year when Germany’s domestic intelligence service labeled it an “extremist” organization. This classification allows for expanded surveillance of the party’s activities, a move that AfD supporters claim is politically motivated and undemocratic.
International Criticism Highlights AfD’s Rise Amid Europe’s Growing Far-Right Political Momentum
The controversy has drawn international attention, with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio criticizing Germany’s decision. Rubio argued that targeting AfD amounts to “tyranny in disguise” and accused the German government of undermining democracy while pursuing harmful immigration policies that AfD strongly opposes.
Originally founded in 2013 as an anti-euro movement, AfD has since embraced hard-right positions on immigration and Islam. Its surge mirrors a wider European pattern, where parties such as Nigel Farage’s Reform UK and France’s National Rally are gaining momentum. The poll results highlight an electorate increasingly willing to challenge establishment politics in favor of populist alternatives.
