Regarding the voting intentions of Germans in May 2024, the key issues for Germans, and the popularity of the Chancellor and Federal Ministers
30 percent of eligible voters in Germany state they would vote for CDU/CSU if the Bundestag election were held next Sunday (compared to 29 percent in April). The SPD reaches 16 percent in May (compared to 14 percent in April). The Greens are at 14 percent (compared to 15 percent in April).
The Left would receive 4 percent, the same as in March and April, if the Bundestag election were held next Sunday. The FDP also stands at 4 percent (compared to 5 percent in April). The AfD remains unchanged at 19 percent, similar to the previous two months. The Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW) consistently reaches 7 percent for the fourth consecutive month.
This is the result of the latest YouGov Sunday Question, in which 1,749 out of 2,146 eligible survey participants expressed their voting intention. According to GDPR, voting intention is considered sensitive personal data and can be skipped in YouGov surveys. The survey was conducted between May 3 and May 8, 2024.
Immigration and Asylum Policy Remains Key Issue
In May, 24 percent of eligible German voters (one in four) say that immigration and asylum policy is the most important issue politicians should address in Germany. This figure has risen slightly compared to the previous two months (21 percent each in March and April). In October and November 2023, it was as high as 31 percent.
While environmental and climate protection was considered the most important issue by an average of nearly 13 percent in 2023, the average this year so far is 10 percent. Therefore, its relevance has decreased in the eyes of eligible voters.
Christian Lindner’s Popularity Declines Since Late 2023
The popularity of Finance Minister Christian Lindner is 9 percentage points lower in May 2024 compared to 12 months ago: currently, 24 percent say the minister is doing a good job, compared to 33 percent in May 2023. His popularity has declined since late 2023.
Among the six federal ministers surveyed, Defense Minister Boris Pistorius remains the most popular (52 percent). Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and Health Minister Karl Lauterbach are tied at 31 percent each. 26 percent say Robert Habeck is doing a good job as Minister for Economic Affairs. Interior Minister Nancy Faeser reaches 23 percent.
Chancellor’s Popularity Stabilizes
After Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s popularity dropped by 6 percentage points in December 2023 (from 26 percent in November 2023 to 20 percent in December 2023), his ratings are now stabilizing: in May 2024, he reaches 23 percent in popularity, compared to 24 percent in April.
The results, along with an explanation of the methodology, are available here.
