AfD Leader Alice Weidel Surpasses CDU's Friedrich Merz in Chancellor Polls

A new INSA survey shows Weidel leading with 24% support, marking a significant shift in voter preferences ahead of Germany's February elections.

Alice Weidel, leader of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), has overtaken CDU leader Friedrich Merz in the latest chancellor preference poll with 24% support to Merz's 20%.
Weidel's support grew by three percentage points over the previous week, while Merz saw a one-point decline in the survey conducted before the Magdeburg Christmas market attack.
The poll reveals strong regional divides, with Weidel commanding 36% support in eastern Germany compared to Merz's 16%.
Current Chancellor Olaf Scholz of the SPD and Green Party candidate Robert Habeck lag behind with 15% and 14% support, respectively.
Despite Weidel's surge, the AfD remains isolated politically, as other major parties maintain a commitment to not forming coalitions with the far-right party.