As discontent grows within Brandenburg towards the ruling coalition of the SPD and BSW, the AfD is experiencing unprecedented support. Recent polling reveals that if elections were held today, a record number of residents would vote for the AfD.
Political Climate in Brandenburg
Brandenburg’s coalition government, consisting of the Social Democratic Party (SPD) and the Party of Sahra Wagenknecht (BSW), has seen a decline in public approval since taking office a year ago. The latest survey shows that only 37% of respondents are satisfied with their governance, while 57% express dissatisfaction.
Declining Support for the Coalition
This is a notable decrease compared to June when 40% of residents expressed approval of the coalition. Specifically, satisfaction levels are at:
- SPD: 33%
- BSW: 18%
The shift in sentiment is reflected in the latest Brandenburg-Trend, commissioned by RBB24 Brandenburg Aktuell and Antenne Brandenburg, conducted by Infratest dimap from December 3 to December 8. The survey included 1,184 eligible voters.
Record Highs for AfD
In the Sunday question, the AfD has solidified its leading position with 35% of the vote—marking the highest level recorded in the Brandenburg-Trend. This represents an increase of three percentage points since June. The current standings are:
| Party | Support (%) | Change (%) |
|---|---|---|
| AfD | 35 | +3 |
| SPD | 22 | -1 |
| CDU | 14 | 0 |
| Linke | 9 | 0 |
| BSW | 7 | -2 |
| Grüne | 5 | 0 |
Calls for New Elections
The coalition’s internal conflicts have prompted approximately 47% of respondents to support the notion of new elections. The desire for a reevaluation of leadership is most pronounced among AfD supporters, with 88% advocating for a new vote. However, only 15% of SPD supporters share that sentiment.
Furthermore, the survey indicates that just 23% see a future for the current SPD-BSW coalition, while 20% prefer a coalition between the SPD and CDU. A potential shift from BSW to CDU is favored by 40% of SPD supporters.
Leadership Approval Ratings
Public figures are evaluated, revealing that:
- Minister President Dietmar Woidke (SPD): 48% satisfaction
- Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Robert Crumbach (BSW): 14% satisfaction
- Interior Minister René Wilke (SPD): 39% recognition, 20% satisfaction
- Economic Minister Daniel Keller (SPD): 27% recognition, 9% satisfaction
Wilke became the interior minister in May after the resignation of Katrin Lange. His recent entry into the SPD has also been noted.
While election polls provide a snapshot of public opinion, they come with inherent uncertainties, particularly given the volatile nature of party affiliation and decision-making processes among voters.
