CDU Distances Itself from AfD: Majority Opposes Merz as Chancellor

The political landscape in Germany is shifting as the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) distances itself from the Alternative for Germany (AfD), particularly in light of recent polling data. As the CDU prepares for the upcoming Bundestag vote on Tuesday, where party leader Friedrich Merz is expected to be elected Chancellor, public sentiment appears to be lukewarm towards him.

According to the latest Politbarometer poll conducted by ZDF and Tagesspiegel, the CDU/CSU coalition has seen a slight increase in support, now sitting at 27%, up one percentage point from previous measurements, while the AfD has decreased to 23%. Notably, this poll was conducted prior to the announcement that the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution classified the entire AfD as a far-right extremist party.

While the CDU's numbers have improved, there remains significant skepticism regarding Merz's ability to lead. The most pressing issue for voters continues to be the economy, with many expressing concerns about the government's capability to address current challenges. The SPD (Social Democratic Party) remains stagnant at 15%, while the Greens have seen a decline to 11%, and the Left party stands at 10%. Other parties, including the Free Democratic Party (FDP) and the BSW, are below the parliamentary threshold.

Public confidence in the potential coalition government, which will likely include the CDU, CSU, and SPD, is mixed. Only 48% view the prospect of such a coalition favorably, while 37% express disapproval. Furthermore, nearly half of the respondents (47%) doubt that this coalition will be able to provide solutions to the pressing issues facing the country.

When it comes to Merz personally, the results are less encouraging. Only 38% of respondents support him becoming Chancellor, with a notable 56% opposed. Even among SPD supporters who approved the coalition agreement, 62% do not favor Merz as Chancellor.

In terms of popularity among politicians, Boris Pistorius, the current Minister of Defense from the SPD, remains the most favored, scoring an average of +2.3, up from +1.9 in the previous poll. Other prominent figures include Gregor Gysi from the Left, Lars Klingbeil of the SPD, and Robert Habeck of the Greens, who trail behind Pistorius in public approval ratings.

Economic issues dominate public concerns, with 45% of respondents prioritizing economic matters over social issues (21%). Despite this focus, there is a widespread belief that economic recovery is unlikely, exacerbated by international trade tensions.

On the foreign policy front, skepticism remains. Only 13% of respondents expect a lasting ceasefire in Ukraine in the near term, reflecting a broader lack of confidence in diplomatic resolutions.

The data for the Politbarometer was gathered between April 28 and April 30, 2025, through a combination of telephone and online interviews with 1,297 randomly selected eligible voters, ensuring that the results are representative of the German voting population.

Overall, as the political climate evolves, both the CDU and its leadership face challenges in garnering public trust and navigating the complex dynamics of coalition governance.