The German right-wing Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) is now just one point behind the centre-right CDU/CSU alliance, according to the latest opinion polls.
A survey by the Forsa research institute suggests that the CDU/CSU’s support has dropped to 25% from the 28.5% it received at the elections in February.
The alliance, which is set to lead the next government, has lost the support of many of its voters due to the broken campaign promises of CDU leader Friedrich Merz.
He has made a U-turn on his pledge to pursue tough anti-immigration policies, as well as his promise not to reform the so-called ‘debt brake,’ the constitutionally enshrined cap on borrowing.
There is a growing anger within the CDU, with more and more members deciding to quit the party.
Meanwhile, the AfD has seen its support grow from 20.8% to an all-time high of 24%.
The Social Democrats (SPD), with whom the CDU/CSU are in talks to set up a coalition, are on 15%, down from 16.4% at the election.
