Most Germans are opposed to banning the right-wing populist Alternative für Deutschland (AfD), according to a survey conducted by the Allensbach Institute for Public Opinion Research. The poll found that 52% of Germans are against a ban, and only 27% support it.
A majority also report personally knowing AfDsupporters—67% in western Germany and 88% in the east. While 54% view the party as right-wing extremist, only 5% see their acquaintances who support it the same way.
Meanwhile, the Social Democratic Party (SPD) has begun preparing for potential legal proceedings to ban the AfD—which, in a poll earlier this week surged to 25%, only 2 percentage points behind the CDU/CSU.
