A narrow majority of German voters approve of conservative leader Friedrich Merz’s controversial decision to push for migration reforms in parliament with the support of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD).
A survey conducted by research institute YouGov for dpa found on Wednesday that 52% of respondents backed Merz’s move last week, with 38% disapproving.
Germany has been rocked by protests after Merz appeared to break the long-standing “firewall” against cooperation with the far right, passing a non-binding motion in the Bundestag, or lower house of parliament, on Wednesday with AfD votes.
However, the survey – carried out between Friday and Tuesday – reveals that a majority of Germans support the measures, with 63% in favour of turning back migrants without a valid permit to enter the country at the border, even if they apply for asylum. Only 25% opposed the policy.
While the measures are popular, a clear majority of respondents (62%) do not believe that the AfD should be included in a governing coalition following elections on February 23.
The party, which is under investigation by domestic intelligence services as a suspected extremist group, is polling in second place on more than 20% of the vote.
Friedrich Merz, the favourite to become Germany’s next chancellor, has insisted that his centre-right Christian Democratic Union/Christian Social Union (CDU/CSU) bloc will not work with the AfD despite last week’s vote. The survey found 49% of respondents believe Merz, while 32% do not.
