In the latest ZDF Politbarometer poll, the Union has lost its slight lead over the AfD and is now neck and neck with it. The CDU and CSU stand at 26 per cent in the poll published on Friday, losing one percentage point compared to the last Politbarometer two weeks ago. The AfD, on the other hand, has gained one point and also stands at 26 per cent.
The SPD has fallen by one point to 14 per cent, while the Greens have gained one point to now stand at 12 per cent. The Left Party remains unchanged at 10 per cent. All other parties – including the FDP and the BSW – continue to account for a combined total of 12 per cent. None of these parties would achieve at least 3 per cent of the vote. A minimum of 5 per cent is required to enter the Bundestag.
Respondents were also asked about their satisfaction with the federal government. Only a minority of 38 percent of those surveyed believe that the government is making an important contribution to solving Germany's problems, while 58 percent doubt this, including 27 percent of CDU/CSU supporters and 41 percent of SPD supporters.
As a result, dissatisfaction with the work of the CDU/CSU and SPD coalition has reached a record low in the Politbarometer: 55 per cent give the federal government a rather poor rating, while 39 per cent think it is doing a rather good job.
Defence Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) remains at the top of the ranking of the most popular politicians. He is rated at an average of 1.5 on a scale of plus five to minus five. Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul (CDU) follows far behind with 0.3. Next come the two SPD leaders: Labour Minister Bärbel Bas with 0.2 and Vice-Chancellor Lars Klingbeil with 0.1. In fifth place is Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) with minus 0.4.
Another topic covered in the survey was the return of Syrian refugees to their country of origin, which is currently under discussion. Fifteen per cent believe that now that the civil war has ended, all refugees should return to Syria as quickly as possible. Forty-four per cent believe that only those who do not have a job here should be required to return now. Thirty-seven per cent believe that the decision should be postponed until living conditions in Syria have improved.
According to the data, there are clear differences in opinion on this issue among the various political camps, but none of the supporter groups say by a majority that everyone should return to Syria as quickly as possible.
The Mannheim-based research group Wahlen surveyed a total of 1,322 eligible voters between 4 and 6 November for the representative ‘Politbarometer’ poll. The maximum margin of error was stated as plus/minus three points.
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