CDU/CSU
CDU/CSU is the joint parliamentary and electoral bloc of two German centre-right parties: the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and the Christian Social Union (CSU). The CDU operates in most German states, while the CSU is based solely in Bavaria. Together they form one of the country's main political forces and have led the German government, most recently under Chancellor Angela Merkel. The bloc has historically been the principal rival of the Social Democratic Party and other parties on the centre-left.
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AfD leads CDU/CSU by record 12 points in INSA poll, Merz approval at 15%
An INSA poll for Bild published on 3 October puts the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) at 30% — its highest level ever recorded by the institute — with Chancellor Friedrich Merz's CDU/CSU bloc at an all-time low of 18%. The 12-point gap is the largest INSA has ever measured between the two parties, and 79% of respondents said they were dissatisfied with both the chancellor and the federal government.