Nevertheless, the far-right party remains in second position in voting intentions.

On Friday, the public broadcaster ZDF published a “Politbarometer” showing that nearly a majority of Germans approve of the political cordon sanitaire against Alternative for Germany (AfD), despite this far-right party maintaining its position as the second most popular in voting intentions.

RELATED:

Germany Ready to Retaliate Against U.S. Tariffs

The decision by the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) candidate for chancellor, Friedrich Merz, to reject any political cooperation with the AfD is considered correct by 65% of those surveyed, compared to 32% who disagree. This distancing from the AfD is supported by a clear majority of 73% of supporters of the conservative bloc formed by the CDU and the Bavarian Christian Social Union (CSU).

If elections were held next Sunday, the conservative bloc would garner 30% of the vote, and the AfD would receive 21%, according to a poll conducted by the Forschungsgruppe Wahlen institute between January 21 and 23.

The governing Social Democratic Party (SPD) would be relegated to third place with 15% of the ballots. The Greens, partners in the minority government following the breakup of the three-way coalition, lost one point, falling to 14%. Meanwhile, the Free Democratic Party (FDP), which was part of the government alliance until early November, would fail to enter parliament, remaining at 4%.

The Left Party gained one point and would enter the Bundestag with 5% of the vote, while the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW), a recently formed leftist party, lost one point, dropping to 3%.

A Conservative and Ecologist Coalition

Among politically viable alliances, these results would suffice for a grand coalition between conservatives and social democrats or a government formed by the conservative bloc and the Greens.

However, none of these potential alliances enjoys majority support. When forced to choose, a coalition led by the CDU/CSU with the SPD remains the most popular option at 33%, although 48% of respondents would disapprove of such a grand coalition.

Meanwhile, a government between conservatives and Greens is viewed positively by 25% of those surveyed, compared to 61% who would not approve of this alliance.

On the other hand, a coalition between the CDU/CSU and the AfD is clearly rejected by 74% of respondents, while 19% would accept it.

Friedrich Merz, the Favorite Among Candidates

Among candidates for chancellor, 31% of respondents would prefer to see conservative Friedrich Merz in the role, putting him clearly ahead of Vice Chancellor and Minister of Economy and Climate Robert Habeck, who receives 25%.

Only 16% prefer Social Democratic Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who surpasses Alice Weidel, the AfD co-chair and candidate, who holds steady at 15%.

In a direct choice between Scholz and Merz as the next chancellor, the conservative leader is supported by 46% of respondents, while the current head of government would obtain 42%.

In a matchup between Merz and Habeck, the conservative candidate leads significantly, with 50% of preferences compared to 37% for the Green vice-chancellor.

teleSUR/ JF Source: EFE

EN ESTA NOTA: