Recent polling data highlights significant shifts in the political landscape of Germany as the country approaches its parliamentary elections scheduled for February 23, 2025. According to a ZDF 'Politbarometer' survey conducted by Forschungsgruppe Wahlen, the Social Democratic Party (SPD) and the Left Party have gained traction, while the Green Party has seen a decrease in voter support.

The survey reveals that the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and its Bavarian counterpart, the Christian Social Union (CSU), maintain a leading position with 30 percent of the electorate's support.

The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) follows closely, also holding steady at 20 percent.

Meanwhile, the SPD has improved its standing to 16 percent, an increase of one percentage point from the previous week.

The Green Party has dropped to 14 percent, losing one point, whereas the Left Party has risen to 7 percent, gaining a point in the same period.

Both the Free Democratic Party (FDP) and the Basic Law Party (BSW) remain unchanged at 4 percent, which would disqualify them from representation in the Bundestag.

The ZDF survey was conducted between February 11 and 13, 2025, involving 1,348 randomly selected eligible voters via telephone and online, with a margin of error of 2 to 3 percent.

In light of these developments, Friedrich Merz, the CDU's candidate for Chancellor, has publicly ruled out any collaboration with the AfD, despite their rising popularity.

He has indicated a preference for coalition options involving either the SPD or the Greens, nurturing skepticism about the FDP’s viability based on their inconsistent support.

Additionally, election officials in Duisburg are launching an initiative aimed at enhancing voter turnout by offering free drink vouchers to individuals submitting absentee ballots before a specified time.

This measure seeks to encourage engagement within a constituency facing historically low turnout rates.

The discourse surrounding migration has intensified, particularly following conservative parties’ decisions to implement stricter asylum regulations.

This move has garnered pushback from various groups, notably religious institutions, with both the Protestant Church in Germany (EKD) and the Catholic German Bishops' Conference (DBK) expressing concerns about collaboration with the AfD, cautioning that it could undermine German democracy.

Public sentiment appears divided, reflecting apprehension among a significant segment of the population regarding the increasing sway of far-right elements within legislative processes.

The elections occur amid critical debates concerning Germany's approach to irregular migration, economic hurdles, and intricate international dynamics, notably influenced by former U.S. President Donald Trump’s re-election.

This evolving political climate is expected to significantly shape voter engagement and party alliances as the elections approach.