A new ARD-Deutschlandtrend survey by infratest-dimap, polling about 1,300 representative voters from February 2–4, finds rising public concern over inequality and only minor shifts in party support.
The poll shows a slim decline for Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s CDU/CSU bloc, which stood at 26% support at the start of February, while the coalition partner, the SPD, recorded a modest two-point gain. The far-right AfD remained the second-strongest party at 24%, with the Greens and the Left Party on 12% and 10%, respectively. Overall satisfaction with the government improved slightly.
Worries about social inequality are mounting: 62% of respondents said injustice is increasing—up two percentage points since July—and a majority believe the gap between rich and poor is widening. Nearly a quarter (24%) named the SPD as the party they trust most to deliver greater social justice, the highest share among parties. Compared with a year ago, 13% more people now say the tax and social-security burden is unfairly distributed. Only 9% of those surveyed feel that foreign nationals and asylum-seekers receive preferential treatment over Germans.
Pollsters link the SPD’s uptick to the rising personal popularity of party leader and Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil, whose ratings improved five points after he criticized the policies of US President Donald Trump. Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) remains the most respected politician in Germany, followed by Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul (CDU); Chancellor Merz trails with a 25% respect rating.
The debate on work and welfare has kept inequality issues in the spotlight. Earlier this year Merz drew criticism for comments about work ethic, warning that prosperity could not be sustained with a four-day workweek and what he called an “exaggerated” work-life balance, and pointing to an average of 14.5 sick-leave days per employee annually. The discussion escalated when the CDU’s economic wing labelled some forms of part-time work “lifestyle part-time” and proposed limiting the statutory right to part-time employment to carers, students or those with family responsibilities.
Social spending remains the largest item in the federal budget, driven by pensions, welfare payments and health costs. A CDU-affiliated business association suggested that health insurers might not be obliged to cover dental treatment. In January, a government expert commission issued proposals to modernize the welfare state, and there is broad agreement across parties that social-security systems need reform. Seventy-one percent of respondents said it would be beneficial if social benefits could also be applied for online.
This piece was originally written in German. If you want regular summaries of German politics and society, consider subscribing to DW’s weekly Berlin Briefing newsletter.