Recent polls reveal a significant shift in German voter support, with the AfD gaining 2 percentage points since August and now leading in some surveys, while the CDU/CSU has lost 1 point, reflecting changing political dynamics.

In September 2025, the AfD has surpassed the CDU/CSU in nationwide support for the first time, with polls showing the AfD at 27% and the CDU/CSU at 26%, marking a historic moment in German politics.

A poll conducted between September 12 and 15 with 1,649 respondents indicates the AfD is leading all parties and would likely enter the Bundestag if an election were held now.

This shift presents a challenge for Chancellor Friedrich Merz and his coalition partners, the SPD and Greens, as the current government support has fallen to only 39%, with the SPD holding 15% and the Greens 11%.

Support for other parties remains relatively stable, with the SPD at 15%, Greens at 11%, Die Linke at 9%, and the FDP at 4%, which is just below the Bundestag threshold.

Green and Left parties each gained one percentage point, now at 12%, while the FDP remains steady at 3%, and minor parties account for about 4% support.

Different polling institutes show varying results, with Ipsos and Forsa indicating the AfD slightly ahead of the Union, Insa showing them at eye level, and Allensbach placing the Union clearly ahead.

The polls, conducted online with around 1,000 to 1,649 respondents between September 5 and 15, are considered representative of the German population aged 18 and older, but highlight the volatile nature of voter support.

The AfD's rise is also evident in recent local elections in North Rhine-Westphalia, where both major parties lost votes while the AfD gained support.

These surveys underscore the shifting political landscape in Germany, with decreasing party loyalty and more short-term decision-making among voters.

The CDU/CSU, led by Friedrich Merz, has dropped to 26%, losing one point from the previous month, and now trails behind the AfD in support.

Overall, the current polling landscape reflects a period of political volatility and uncertainty, with the AfD emerging as a significant force in German politics.