Support for Germany’s conservative bloc decreased by 2 percentage points to 28% within a week, according to a survey released on Tuesday. This decline follows lead candidate Friedrich Merz’s controversial alliance with the far-right to advance migration restriction plans through parliament.
With less than three weeks remaining before the federal elections, the Forsa poll for RTL/ntv indicated that support for Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s Social Democrats (SPD) remained stable at 16%. The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) also maintained its position at 20%.
Merz, who is campaigning for chancellor under the conservative CDU/CSU alliance, secured parliamentary approval last week for a migration restriction proposal, leveraging support from the AfD and breaking a longstanding taboo against collaborating with far-right parties.
The campaign’s focus has shifted significantly to migration issues following the arrest of an Afghan asylum seeker in connection with deadly stabbings on January 22, which were preceded by other notable violent incidents involving individuals of immigrant backgrounds.
Merz’s attempt to introduce an additional migration law in parliament last Friday was unsuccessful, as some members of his own party withheld their support.
The Forsa poll was conducted between January 28 and February 3, primarily after the initial parliamentary vote.
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