ARD-DeutschlandTREND: Union Struggles to Keep Pace with AfD
In the latest ARD-DeutschlandTREND, the Union party experiences a decline in support, falling behind the AfD, which records its highest rating yet. The survey reveals shifting sentiments among voters regarding collaboration with the AfD and satisfaction levels with key political figures.
06.08.2026 – 18:00
ARD Das Erste
Köln (ots)
In the latest ARD-DeutschlandTREND, the Union party is showing signs of decline, with current polling indicating they would secure only 21 percent of the vote if elections were held this Sunday. This marks a decrease of one percentage point since early July and represents the lowest support for the Union since November 2021. In contrast, the Alternative for Germany (AfD) has seen a rise, currently polling at 28 percent—up one point from last month and their highest rating to date in the ARD-DeutschlandTREND.
Other political parties have maintained steady numbers compared to the previous month: the SPD stands at 12 percent, the Greens at 15 percent, the Left at 11 percent, and the FDP at 4 percent. Collectively, all other parties account for 9 percent of the vote, according to a representative survey conducted by infratest dimap among 1,297 eligible voters from Monday to Wednesday this week.
When addressing potential collaboration with the AfD, 27 percent of respondents favor seeking cooperation with the party, a rise of 3 percent compared to June. Meanwhile, 32 percent would consider collaboration on a case-by-case basis, while 37 percent firmly reject any partnership, a decrease of 4 percent. A significant majority of supporters from the Greens (77 percent), the Left (74 percent), and the SPD (61 percent) advocate for completely excluding collaboration with the AfD. Among Union supporters, only 7 percent are in favor of working with the AfD, while 48 percent would decide based on circumstances, and 44 percent oppose any collaboration.
Satisfaction with the federal government's performance remains stagnant, with only 13 percent expressing they are very satisfied or satisfied, while 85 percent report being less or not satisfied at all—a slight decrease of 1 percent.
In terms of individual politicians, Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) has seen a marginal increase in approval, with 14 percent of voters satisfied, up 1 percentage point from July when he recorded the lowest satisfaction rating for a Chancellor in the history of the ARD-DeutschlandTREND. Conversely, 84 percent of the populace is dissatisfied with his leadership.
Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) continues to receive the highest approval among cabinet members, with 53 percent expressing satisfaction, a slight increase of 1 percent. In contrast, Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul (CDU) has garnered 32 percent approval, up 4 percent, while Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU) has improved to 28 percent satisfaction, despite 54 percent still expressing dissatisfaction.
Vice Chancellor and Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil (SPD) has 23 percent approval, while 62 percent are dissatisfied. Labor Minister Bärbel Bas (SPD) has reached 22 percent satisfaction, and 55 percent are dissatisfied. Economic Minister Katherina Reiche (CDU) stands at 15 percent approval, with 58 percent expressing dissatisfaction.
Looking at the opposition, 22 percent are satisfied with AfD faction leader Tino Chrupalla, a 3 percent increase from June, while 51 percent are dissatisfied. The Left's faction leader, Heidi Reichinnek, has a satisfaction rating of 19 percent, and 42 percent are dissatisfied. Green faction leader Britta Haßelmann has an approval rating of 11 percent, with 28 percent dissatisfied, and a majority (61 percent) are either unfamiliar with her or unable to form an opinion.
Survey Data
- Target Group: Eligible voters aged 18 and over in Germany
- Sample Size: 1,297 respondents
- Survey Period: August 3 to August 5, 2026
- Methodology: Randomized telephone and online survey
- Margin of Error: 2* to 3** percentage points
* at a share value of 10% ** at a share value of 50%
Survey Questions:
- Which party would you vote for if elections were held next Sunday?
- How satisfied are you with the work of the federal government?
- Now, how satisfied are you with some politicians? Are you very satisfied, satisfied, less satisfied, not satisfied at all, or do you not know them?
- Friedrich Merz (CDU)
- Katherina Reiche (CDU)
- Johann Wadephul (CDU)
- Alexander Dobrindt (CSU)
- Lars Klingbeil (SPD)
- Boris Pistorius (SPD)
- Bärbel Bas (SPD)
- Heidi Reichinnek (Die Linke)
- Britta Haßelmann (Grüne)
- Tino Chrupalla (AfD)
- How should parties behave towards the AfD? Should they seek collaboration? Decide on a case-by-case basis? Or exclude collaboration altogether?
