The Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD) and the Alternative for Germany party, led by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, have shown movement in the latest public opinion rankings within Germany. This update comes from a comprehensive survey, offering a snapshot of how voters currently view the major political players on the national stage and how those views align with recent events at home and abroad.
According to a study carried out by the Insa Institute, support for Scholz’s party rose by 1.5 percentage points, reaching 16 percent and placing the SPD in third position among the larger parties. Meanwhile, the far larger opposition on the right, the AfD, posted a gain of 2.5 percentage points to stand at 19.5 percent, securing the second spot in the poll results. The long established CDU/CSU bloc, which has historically held a plurality of support, saw its share slip by 1.5 percentage points, bringing its total to 29.5 percent. This marked a decline below the 30 percent threshold for the first time in several months, signaling a shift in voter sentiment after a period of relative steadiness.
The poll notes that both the SPD and the AfD have presented pacific, if not conciliatory, stances toward the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. In particular, neither party has endorsed the immediate transfer of long range Taurus missiles to the region, reflecting a cautious approach to military escalation that resonates with a broad portion of the electorate. Observers highlight that such positions may influence public perception at a time when security policy is a focal point of national debate and the government’s handling of defense commitments is under scrutiny.
In total, two thousand people participated in the nationwide survey conducted over a three day window from March 15 to March 18. The sampling method sought a cross section of voters across age groups, regions, and socioeconomic backgrounds to capture shifting attitudes as Germany weighs its political options ahead of upcoming elections and as debates about alliance commitments, defense spending, and economic resilience continue to unfold.
The day before, members of the Defense Committee of the Federal Assembly convened for a confidential meeting to discuss the potential sale and deployment of Taurus missiles to Ukraine, underscoring the high stakes involved in defense policy decisions. While the talks were described as private, the subject itself reflects a broader, ongoing conversation about how Germany and its allies structure military support, deterrence, and the balance between diplomacy and military readiness.
Earlier, Chancellor Scholz responded to supporters of sending Taurus missiles to Kiev with comments that emphasized value judgments about strategic deterrence, alliance solidarity, and the potential consequences of rapid military escalation. His statements, echoed by government officials and security advisers, contribute to the evolving public narrative around Germany’s role in regional security and its responsibilities within NATO.