According to the RTL/ntv survey results "Trendbarometer" published on August 12, the far-right Party of the Alternative for Germany ( AfD) achieved a record support level of 26%, higher than the Democratic/Social Christian Union CDU/CSU (24%) - the lowest level of this alliance since 2021.
The Social Democratic Party (SPD) and the Green Party are both at 13%, while the left Party ( Die Linke) is at 11%. The remaining parties are all at a certain level.
August 13 marked German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's 100th term in office, but he faced a confidence level of just 29% - the lowest since he took office in May, while the no-confidence rate had climbed to 67%.
Criticism was strong in the Eastern states and from AfD, left and Green supporters, raising doubts about the ability of the coalition government to maintain power.
Since taking power, Prime Minister Merz has taken a tough stance on Russia, pledging to add 5 billion euros ($5.6 billion) in military aid to Ukraine.
Last month, he said that diplomatic options in the Russia-Ukraine conflict were exhausted, causing Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to accuse Berlin of choosing to escalate rather than reconcile.
The decision to pump more money into Kiev has also caused controversy domestically, especially as the German economic outlook is increasingly gloomy.
According to the survey, 62% of respondents believe that the German economy will deteriorate this year - the highest level of optimism ever, while only 14% expect the situation to improve. Half of the respondents said that no party has the capacity to solve the country's problems.
Founded in 2013, the AfD initially emerged as an opposing stance on the euro, then expanded to immigration and border security issues.
Amid a prolonged migration crisis, the party has steadily expanded its influence, winning 152 of the total 630 seats in the National Assembly in the February election.
Since the election, the AfD has adjusted its tone, aiming for a more moderate image to attract middle-aged voters ahead of next year's statewide elections.
