Support for Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s Social Democratic Party (SPD), the Greens, and the Free Democratic Party (FDP) has declined in recent months, while opposition parties like the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) have gained momentum, according to a report by Euronews on Monday, January 6, 2025.
Germany’s political scene is undergoing a significant shift, as backing for the current “traffic light” coalition, consisting of Scholz’s SPD, the Greens, and the pro-business FDP, continues to fade. The decline of the coalition was further emphasized after the breakdown of the alliance between Scholz’s Social Democrats, the Greens, and the FDP.
Meanwhile, the CDU, Germany’s main center-right opposition party, and its Bavarian sister party, the Christian Social Union (CSU), have consistently led in the polls. The far-right populist AfD remains the second-largest opposition party, continuing to see an increase in support.
Under the leadership of Friedrich Merz, the CDU is maintaining a strong position ahead of the upcoming elections. Scholz’s SPD lags behind, struggling to regain momentum. Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck of the Greens, who is also seeking to lead the country, has seen his party’s support diminish further as the three-party coalition continues to lose favor with voters.
The AfD, which has been steadily gaining support, has nominated Alice Weidel as their candidate for chancellor. Despite its rise, the party remains politically isolated, as traditional parties continue to reject any coalition with them.
On the left, the newly formed BSÖ party, led by Sahra Wagenknecht, has capitalized on populist dissatisfaction, further diversifying Germany’s political landscape. This has led to a more fragmented spectrum of political options as the country heads toward the 2025 elections.
Polling suggests that no single party is close to securing an absolute victory, making the upcoming election outcome likely to lead to coalition negotiations — a hallmark of Germany’s political system. The CDU/CSU bloc appears to be in the strongest position to form a majority coalition, but it will likely require support from the Greens or the SPD to do so. The current three-party coalition is unlikely to be renewed, with the FDP polling below the 5% threshold required for representation in the Bundestag.
Germany’s proportional electoral system suggests that coalition talks will be crucial in determining the composition of the next government, as no party is expected to achieve a clear majority.
As election day approaches, political analysts are closely watching the shifting alliances and voter sentiments, with the outcome set to shape Germany’s future leadership for years to come.
