German poll: Far-right AfD lead narrows as conservatives gain
The far-right AfD slipped two points to 26% in ZDF's Politbarometer poll, while 74% of respondents oppose plans to scrap retirement at 63 for long-time workers.
Symbolic image · Photo: Jörg Braukmann / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped and resized)
The far-right Alternative for Germany's lead over Chancellor Friedrich Merz's conservatives has narrowed, according to ZDF's latest Politbarometer. The Forschungsgruppe Wahlen projection puts the AfD at 26% (down 2 points) and the CDU/CSU at 23% (up 2). The Social Democrats have 14%, the Greens 13%, the Left Party 11% and the FDP 3%. The governing coalition still lacks a majority.
A clear majority of 74% opposes the planned abolition of early retirement at 63, with 21% in favor. At the same time, 83% say a fundamental pension reform involving cuts is important or very important.
On Ukraine, only 16% believe Russian President Vladimir Putin is seriously interested in a lasting ceasefire, while 79% doubt it. The survey of 1,225 eligible voters was conducted Oct. 20-22.