Majority of Germans Reject Planned Government Debt as AfD Gains in New Poll

A clear majority of German voters rejects the federal government's planned new debt exceeding 200 billion euros, according to the latest Politbarometer survey conducted by Forschungsgruppe Wahlen for public broadcaster ZDF. At the same time, support for the Alternative for Germany (AfD) rose to 28 percent, widening its lead over the conservative CDU/CSU bloc.

The survey indicates that 59 percent of respondents view the proposed borrowing through the federal budget and special funds as incorrect given current challenges, while 32 percent consider it appropriate. Rejection extends into the conservative electorate, where 54 percent of CDU/CSU supporters oppose the massive credit intake. When asked how additional government expenditures should be covered, 61 percent of all respondents favored spending cuts in other areas, compared to 21 percent who backed higher taxes and nine percent who supported further borrowing. Among CDU/CSU voters, 73 percent preferred spending reductions.

In terms of voter preferences, the AfD gained two percentage points compared to late October, reaching 28 percent. The CDU/CSU bloc fell by one point to 22 percent, placing it six points behind the AfD. The Social Democratic Party (SPD) dropped to 13 percent, bringing the combined total of the CDU/CSU and SPD to 35 percent. Alliance 90/The Greens recorded a two-point gain to reach 15 percent, while Die Linke declined to ten percent and the Free Democratic Party (FDP) remained unchanged at three percent.

Partisan divisions on fiscal policy remain distinct. Among SPD supporters, 47 percent view the government's borrowing plans as correct, while 36 percent oppose them, whereas 95 percent of AfD voters reject the new debt. The poll also examined generational perspectives, showing that 83 percent of respondents expressed understanding for youth demonstrations such as the Gen Z regelt movement. Half of respondents under the age of 35 stated that the federal government prioritises older generations over younger ones, a view shared by 35 percent of the overall electorate.

Written by Freya Stensrud freya.stensrud@alpineweekly.com