In a historic first for Germany’s political landscape, the right-wing Alternative for Germany (AfD) party has topped a major nationwide opinion poll, signaling a growing appetite for political change among German voters and escalating the pressure on mainstream parties struggling to form a new government.

According to a new Ipsos survey released on April 9, the AfD has garnered 25% support among eligible voters-outpacing the long-dominant center-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and its Bavarian sister party, the Christian Social Union (CSU), which together received 24%. The poll, conducted on April 4 and 5 with a sample size of 1,000 respondents, marks the first time the AfD has ranked as the most popular party in Germany since its founding in 2013.

Compared to the previous Ipsos survey in early March, the AfD has gained three percentage points, while support for the CDU/CSU alliance dropped by five. Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s Social Democrats (SPD) held steady at 15%, and the Greens slid to 11%, now tied with the resurgent Left Party, which gained two points to reach its highest standing since 2016.

The reaction from the AfD was celebratory. Party co-leader Alice Weidel posted on X (formerly Twitter), “For the first time in the AfD’s short history, we are the strongest party in Germany… Citizens want political change – not a ‘business as usual’ coalition between the CDU/CSU and SPD!”

Weidel’s statement reflects a growing sense of disenchantment with the political establishment. Her party’s rise comes amid ongoing coalition negotiations following the February federal election, where CDU/CSU won the largest share........

© Blitz