SPD ahead of AfD in Mecklenburg‑Vorpommern poll as Left edges CDU in Berlin race
A ZDF‑ordered poll shows the Social Democratic Party ahead of the Alternative for Germany in Mecklenburg‑Vorpommern, while a separate INSA poll indicates the AfD is now only two points behind the SPD in the same state. In Berlin, a poll places the Left Party narrowly ahead of the CDU, with the Greens close to the five‑percent entry barrier in both states. The BSW is mentioned in the Mecklenburg‑Vorpommern poll but without a projected outcome. These shifting figures come as both states prepare for upcoming state parliamentary elections.
How this was covered
- Left-leaning outlets covered this 11h later
Why it matters
The tight races could alter coalition options and policy direction in two key German states ahead of their elections.
How the sides frame it
MODERATE AGREEMENTLeft-leaning coverage stresses regional gains for the SPD and the Left and notes the CDU’s decline, while right-leaning coverage highlights the AfD’s national lead and the historic low of the CDU/CSU; Centrist coverage simply reports the raw poll numbers showing the AfD at about 30% and the CDU/CSU around 20%.
LEFT
Frames the story around SPD overtaking the AfD in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and the Left edging ahead in Berlin, while underscoring the CDU’s historic low support.
RIGHT
Frames the story as the AfD emerging as the strongest party nationwide, with the CDU/CSU at a record low and emphasizing the party’s surge, especially in the east.
The left emphasises
- SPD overtakes AfD in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern poll
- Left leads in Berlin race
- CDU on 18 percent: Merz before power loss
The right emphasises
- AfD leads national poll while East German support surges ahead of federal vote
- AfD narrows gap to two points behind SPD ahead of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern election
- Far-right AfD Germany's strongest political force: New Poll
How this story developed
- Sep 7 The AfD was reported to be three seats short of an outright majority, prompting coalition negotiations.
- Sep 7 AfD received 43.8% of the vote and the CDU dropped to about 17%.
- Sep 8 Günter Krings, a member of the German Bundestag, described the recent Saxony-Anhalt vote as far worse than expected, with the AfD securing 43.8% of the ballots. He argued the CDU should not entertain discussions about replacing Chancellor Friedrich Merz so soon after the far-right's victory. Krings urged the party to focus on rebuilding its credibility and blamed EU decisions for part of voter anger. The CDU’s share fell to 17.2%, roughly half of its previous support.
- Sep 9 Former US president Donald Trump praised the Alternative for Germany (AfD) after its impressive result in Saxony-Anhalt, blaming the country's immigration policies.
- Sep 9 Trump posted a congratulatory message to the AfD on Truth Social after the Saxony‑Anhalt results.
- Sep 9 Merz and AfD leader Alice Weidel clashed in a Bundestag budget debate following the Saxony‑Anhalt result.
- Sep 10 Claudia Obert resigned from the CDU and Tino Schomann publicly demanded Merz’s resignation.
- Sep 11 Only the BSW agreed to talks as all other parties declined, and Chancellor Merz rebuked Donald Trump’s congratulatory post.
- Sep 12 Markus Söder publicly rejected calls to replace Chancellor Merz.
- Sep 13 Sloterdijk’s interview at the Hay Festival added new commentary on the AfD’s trajectory.
- Sep 15 A YouGov poll finds the AfD as the strongest party across Germany, while the CDU/CSU slips to an unprecedented low, with the Greens and SPD modestly improving.
- Sep 18 Eight state premiers issued a joint communiqué reaffirming support for Chancellor Merz.
- Sep 18 A new poll shows the AfD closing to within two points of the SPD in Mecklenburg‑Vorpommern.
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